An orphaned black bear cub was spotted perched high in a tree at a busy East Vancouver park over the weekend. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service was called to New Brighton Park on Saturday afternoon and determined the cub did not pose any risk to public safety, a statement from the Environment Ministry said. While photos from the park show conservation officers with a bear trap in tow, a ministry spokesperson confirmed no action was taken. By Sunday, the bear was gone. The province has guidelines for how to respond to reports of orphaned black bear cubs. Generally, the animal is monitored for 48 hours before action is taken. Once the situation has been assessed, the cub is either captured to be taken to a rescue or allowed to remain wild, according to the province. “Black bear cubs in B.C. are typically born in January or February. Science indicates that at approximately eight months of age, cubs can and do successfully forage for natural foods and den without the sow,” according to the guidelines. “Not every cub requires human intervention, and interfering can cause more harm than good.” In cases where the cub poses a public safety risk because it has become habituated to humans and non-natural food sources, the animal will be killed. Black bear cubs who are injured or otherwise unlikely to survive are euthanized.
