A family in British Columbia came across a baby bear cub struggling in Okanagan Lake during a boating trip last weekend. Concerned by the cub’s distress, the Zamniuk family rescued it onto their boat after noticing it struggling to stay afloat.
Christina Zamniuk, a member of the family, described how the cub’s situation quickly turned dire as it began to struggle to keep its head above water. Once on board, the cub, affectionately named “Boo Boo,” was visibly shivering and in need of warmth. The family provided the cub with cheese to help it recover from the cold water exposure.
Upon discovering the cub, the family promptly contacted the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the B.C. SPCA for guidance. Directed to land and advised to minimize interaction with the cub, the family encountered challenges as the cub seemed reluctant to leave their boat.
Despite the COS being informed of the incident, they did not respond to the scene or provide clear instructions on the cub’s future. The family was cautioned against touching the bear to avoid human scent transfer, which could hinder its survival in the wild.
A subsequent email from the COS confirmed the incident and mentioned no further reports of the orphan bear cub. WildSafeBC commended the positive outcome for both the cub and its rescuers, emphasizing the importance of avoiding wildlife contact and exercising caution around wild animals, especially during the active bear season in September.
The organization stressed that encountering a bear cub likely indicates the presence of its protective mother nearby and highlighted the rarity of human intervention in such cases. WildSafeBC advised contacting the COS as the primary step in responding to distressed animals.