Appalachian Bear Rescue takes in brother-sister bear cubs

Two more temporary residents have made their way to Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend, brought here from Kentucky.

The brother and sister black bear cubs are two months old, said ABR Executive Director Dana Dodd. They have been given the names Daisy Mae and Duke. Daisy Mae weighs 3.76 pounds, and Duke, a little over 4 pounds. Dodd said despite them being neonates, they are healthy enough to not require an incubator. The two were initially taken to University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine to be checked out.

Daisy Mae and Duke are now receiving around-the-clock care at ABR, a nonprofit that takes in injured or orphaned black bear cubs to help them grow strong enough for release back into the wild.

Dodd said these two weren’t separated from their mother for very long, due to the fact they were in good health. She said there is no information about where the mother is or how the cubs were separated from her.

These two new houseguests will remain at ABR for several months before they can be returned to Kentucky where they were found, Dodd added.

Currently, there are two other black bears at ABR, yearlings Tinsel and Twinkle. Both are female and have been at the facility since late last year. The two came from separate bear families but have managed to live together civilly, Dodd said. These two will likely be released in April.

Four other neonate cubs arrived at ABR in early January, just days old. One was successfully fostered into another den; sadly, the three others passed away, too young and frail to survive on their own.

Despite topnotch care at UT and ABR, the tiny, frail neonates have the best chance of survival with their mothers, Dodd said.

Last year, ABR cared for 23 bears; they have already received six so far in 2024.