As promised, we’re checking in on Tadashi and Hiro, the two orphaned bear cubs from the North Thompson that were rescued along Highway 5 at the end of June after their mother was killed. The cubs were transported to the Northern Lights Wildlife Society in Smithers, which is managed by Angelika Langen and her family. “The cubs are doing very well here at the shelter, along with other rescued cubs. They’ve grown quite a bit since being rescued in June, thanks to Sandi Briggs and her husband, Colin Brown, North Thompson residents who stayed with them until our team member arrived.”
READ MORE: Orphaned bear cubs rescued thanks to volunteer ‘chain’
In a phone interview with Black Press on Aug. 25, Langen reported that the plan for the cubs — which are still with the society — is to eventually relocate them back to the North Thompson when they are a bit older.
“Due to the wildfires, we are anticipating this will be an even busier year once we are able to get into those areas impacted by fires to assess the effect the fires have had on wildlife habitat,” she added. “It’s very smokey where we are in Smithers and has been difficult for our own horses here.
“We are hoping the public will be ‘bear aware’ and realize that it’s not a good idea to allow bears to have free range of domestic fruit trees and other plants. It’s really not helping them as they move into populated areas [after] being forced out of their own territory by these wildfires.”
According to Langen, domestic fruit trees are not a natural source of food for bears, and are acknowledged as a bear attractant. If you let a bear feast on your fruit, what you are doing is not only dangerous, it is an offence under the British Columbia Wildlife Act. These bears become used to humans, and they become more bold in exploring urban areas.
It is advisable to prune your fruit trees, so they will produce only the amount of fruit that you are able to pick and consume. Clean all fallen fruit from beneath the trees and shrubs daily, and pick fruit and berries as soon as they ripen.
READ MORE: Don’t leave the fruits of your labours for bears to forage
Editor’s note: We will be checking back with the Northern Lights Wildlife Society and “our” furry friends there to keep readers posted on their progress and potential transport back to the valley.
