The black bear cub - known as Boo Boo - is expected to make a full recovery. The bear was burned in the Mustang Fire north of Salmon.
Boo Boo could be ready to leave the Idaho Humane Society, where he’s been recovering from his burns, in as little as two weeks. The three-to-four month old cub has 2nd degree burns on all four of his paws.
But Evin Oneale with Idaho Fish and Game says those burns are healing nicely and biologists and veterinarians will soon decide where he goes next. “He will definitely go to either a rehab facility, where they’ll probably hold him over winter there is my guess and release him next spring, or if it doesn’t look like he is going to survive in the wild like we’ve hoped, we’ll probably look for a facility that might be able to take him.”
For now, Boo Boo is getting daily treatment and all the food he wants at the Humane Society. His doctor says he’s “eating like a little pig.” His diet consists of dog food, vegetables, and fruit. Donations have been pouring in, though Oneale says they have enough apples right now. Boo Boo apparently loves berries, and Oneale says they could use some more strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries.
Copyright 2012 Boise State Public Radio