Neighbours band together to help rescue tiny bear cub in backyard

A group of neighbours living in Maple Ridge, B.C., are the reason a bear cub was rescued after they heard it screaming out in their backyards for days.

Liz Silva first heard the animal early Tuesday morning and wasn’t sure where it was coming from.

“I saw this tiny little bear, like, really small, probably about four, maybe five months old and he was just crying and crying and crying,” Silva said.

Hopeful that the mother would return, she kept monitoring it, kept her distance and called for help.  

WATCH | Orphaned bear cub rescued from Maple Ridge backyard:

Orphaned bear cub rescued from Maple Ridge backyard

Maple Ridge neighours came together to watch over a baby bear cub that was bawling in their backyards. On Wednesday a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization came to rescue the orphaned bear.

“In the morning, I called conservation and explained the situation,” Silva said. “They said, well, ‘Let’s wait a couple of days to see if mom comes back now.’”

The bear cub had not left by Wednesday afternoon.

“Our biggest concern is that he’s going to become dehydrated,” Silva said. “I just wish something sooner would have been done instead of waiting so long.”

Her neighbour, Alana Lofgren, has also been keeping a watch out for the bear and heard the cub crying all day on Wednesday.

Silva decided to put a cardboard box with a blanket under her patio, should the bear need somewhere to go while it’s raining.

“Pulls at the heartstrings to see [it] crying,” Silva said.

Critter Care Wildlife Society, a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization in Langley, was able to rescue the bear cub on Wednesday afternoon after it says they were given permission from the Ministry of Environment and Parks.

Unlikely to survive if left alone

Ellie Lamb is a bear viewing guide in B.C. with more than 30 years of experience. She said the bear appears to be only a few months old.

“They usually don’t live past three to five days due to lack of food, which would be the mother’s milk,” Lamb said.

“The other threat is going to be the coyotes that are howling in that area. So there’s a good chance that, unfortunately, a coyote will take them,” Lamb said.

Other bears could also pose a threat to the cub.

“The cub is hanging out by homes, very close to particular homes, because that is where he’s safe,” Lamb said.

The cub would not be able to climb a tree, would be exhausted from crying and is unlikely to survive if left alone, Lamb added.

“Our hearts are definitely behind the survival of this cub.”