Dan Thrift/Nevada Appeal News Service A 12-week-old black bear cub plays with a stuffed animal after arriving April 15 at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care on the south shore. The cub was found orphaned near Bakersfield, Calif., and appears to be in good condition.
Even among the Canada goose and two species of squirrels currently calling Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care home, the center's newest addition remains quite the peculiarity.
"This is the smallest and youngest cub we've ever had," said Tom Millham, secretary/treasurer of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care.
The approximately 6 pound, 12-week-old black bear was brought to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care April 15 after his mother was illegally shot and killed near Kernville, outside of Bakersfield.
"We are the only rehabilitation facility in the state of California authorized to do bear cubs," said Millham.
A California Department of Fish and Game veterinarian in Rancho Cordova gave the cub a thorough physical on Tuesday, determining the young bear is healthy enough to be rehabilitated.
With a go-ahead from fish and game, the cub is now back at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, where he'll spend most of the next year.
Millham said the goal is to release the bear back into the wild within 50 miles of where he was found near the start of next year.
He estimated the cub will probably weigh between 80 and 120 pounds by that point.