Injured bear cub euthanized after 3-month stay at rescue

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) — A bear cub who has been living at Appalachian Bear Rescue for three months was euthanized Thursday evening shortly after she reinjured her leg.

“Tots Bear” was rescued in April after the rescue received a report of the 5.4 pound cub in the Big South Fork area appearing to be injured on a trail, crying and with no mother bear in sight. Throughout her stay with the rescue, it was found that Tots suffered a broken humerus which healed very slowly after surgery.

Eventually, Tots was ready to be introduced to another cub, and both were released into an outdoor enclosure. Just a few days ago though, ABR said curators noticed Tots limping, and it was later discovered that she refractured her humerus in the same place as before, her calcium levels were low, and she had in infection in the bone marrow of the injured leg.

Since the injury was found, curators moved Tots back into an indoor enclosure, but she refused to eat any food containing medication.

“Tots Bear wasn’t being her lively self and refused to move from her spot on a dog bed in the Hartley House. So much so, that curators could no longer entice her to shift rooms in between feedings, and therefore had to enter the room with her to replace her food and untouched antibiotics,” ABR wrote.

The rescue continued to say that after talking with the veterinarians at UT College of Veterinary Medicine, the decision was made to relieve Tots from her suffering.

“She passed peacefully yesterday evening, surrounded by her compassionate team of veterinarians from UTCVM-University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and our dedicated curators. We are so sorry,” ABR said. “Rest in peace, sweet Tots Bear.”

Appalachian Bear Rescue still has 16 bear cubs and yearlings in their care, including three cubs that were taken in after their mother was euthanized because she injured someone at a motel in Gatlinburg.

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