Remember Li'l Smokey - bear injured in wildfire? He has a webcam!

[Beaverhausen]

http://ltwc.typepad.com/lake_tahoe_wildlife_care/smokeys-webcam.html


Lil' Smokey: Injured Cub Recovering Well

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=49376

LAKE TAHOE, CA - Four months after he was all but given up for dead following a raging wildfire, a determined young bear cub is making an incredible comeback under the watchful eye of concerned volunteers near Lake Tahoe.

A badly injured Lil' Smokey was found by firefighter Adam Deem while crews mopped up hot spots from July's massive wildfire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.

Veterinarians at the the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Center in South Lake Tahoe said the black bear cub was in bad shape at the time, his badly-burned paws a particular area of concern.

Two weeks after he was found, Dr. Kevin Willitts said Smokey would likely lose some toes and claws to the burns and it was unlikely he would ever be well enough to be released back into the forest.

Thankfully, the tough young bear's prognosis changed.

Nearly three months after his ordeal, Lil' Smokey has gained nearly 50 pounds and he no longer needs the bandages and booties on his paws.

More importantly, the pads of his feet -- and all 20 of his claws -- were beginning to grow back. With his paws getting back to normal, caretakers say there's a good chance Smokey will be able to live in the wild again.

"He's just doing great," center volunteer Tom Millham said. "He's obviously getting harder to handle. When I go in, I'm the one who actually has to physically catch him, so we can give him knockout drugs so we can examine him."

While they build his strength, volunteers are also trying to have as little human contact as possible with the cub so he doesn't lose his natural fear of people.

Just as they've released countless lost and injured animals back into the wild, the hope is that Smokey won't be in their care much longer.

"If (his recovery) continues like it is, there's a very good chance we'll be releasing him in January or February," Millham said.

The Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care Center has set up a 24/7 Smokey Cam so anyone can watch the bear over the Internet. You can find the Smokey Cam here.

[Tallison]

1. So cute playing in the kiddie tub

Gettin' fat!

[blonndee]

2. Good news!

Thanks for posting this. I'd forgotten about Little Smokey, but his story was very touching.

[ellenfl]

3. kicking eom