Three orphaned cubs currently housed at NIWRC, believed to be born in January or February, aren't exactly hard on the eyes. (Derek Downes)

By Ian Holmes

da bears

Errington wildlife rehab centre has unique relationship with bear cubs

Jul 28, 2023 | 5:23 AM

ERRINGTON — Tough love adequately describes how staff and volunteers at the renowned North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre (NIWRC) treat its black bears prior to release back into the wild.

Believed to be about six months old, three young black bears in the non-profit organization’s care were orphaned after their food-habituated mother was euthanized in the Victoria area in late June, according to NIWRC animal care technician Derek Downes.

The cubs have settled into a cordoned-off enclosure west of Parksville, away from public view with the exception of a non-intrusive video feed.

“These three bear cubs have a second chance. They are going to be rehabilitated, raised and released next year and they’ll go back into the wild and live the life that a bear should live,” Downes proudly told NanaimoNewsNOW.

If everything goes to plan these bears will be released into the wild in roughly a year. (Derek Downes)

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Armed with an amazing sense of smell and heightened appetites, Downes said it’s difficult to undo a bear’s attraction to human food sources like garbage.

That’s why it’s critical to create uncomfortable scenarios in their rehabilitation journey.

Facility representatives raising their voices and chasing the bears to other parts of their nursery are a regular ritual while the bear’s food is hidden and their living space is cleaned.

“It’s a little bit like a bear rodeo, you’re moving the bear cubs around, your cleaning and putting food down, we’re completely out of sight of them when we’re doing that,” Downes said. “Our presence is certainly not something that they are looking forward to or associating with food.”

This love-hate relationship is working.

Five bear cubs were released by NIWRC staff in June following a year in their care, including three from the Qualicum Beach area, whose mother was put down.

“None of those cubs that we’ve released have ever got into trouble with garbage due to learned behaviour,” Downes said, noting their released bears are outfitted with GPS devices.

A three-stage release plan will see the cubs transitioned to a partial enclosure open to the night sky with multiple dens over the winter where food is removed to replicate a bear’s dormant state.

Downes said in the spring a series of veterinarian exams, including blood and hair samples, will be analyzed to help determine if the bears are fit to return to the woods.

Typically, he said it takes orphaned or injured bears a year to 18 months in order to be released in areas strategically chosen by the BC Conservation Officer Service.

While getting an in-person look at the three 30 to 35 lbs. bears at NIWRC is a challenge, a resident bear on public display is open for all to see.

Downes said Rae, who has a neurological condition, is the lone resident black bear currently calling their wildlife refuge its permanent home.

“Look what I can do!” Rae is a popular NIWRC attraction. (North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre)

NIWRC is the only Vancouver Island facility caring for orphaned and injured black bears.

The non-profit society, operating since 1985, rehabilitates hundreds of injured and sick Island-based animals annually, primarily birds ranging from ducklings and eagles, to ravens, hawks and owls.

NIWRC is open daily from 9:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. at 1240 Leffler Rd. in Errington.

More details on the organization, including information on fares and how to donate can be found on the NIWRC website.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes