WESTLOCK- A bear cub that drew a crowd of residents and trick-or-treaters on Halloween night will be taken to a rehab centre in southern Alberta and released back into the wild in the spring, according to officials.
On Tuesday night a small, young black bear cub was captured by Fish and Wildlife after it spent a few days wandering the town, likely in search of food, officials say.
The cub was first spotted on Sunday night (Oct. 29) and by Tuesday evening, it had found its way into the residential area of town while kids were trick-or-treating. Fish and Wildlife officers were able to dart the bear cub and tranquillize it.
Born this past spring, the bear is a male and weighs just 45 to 50 pounds, noted Mike Ewald, provincial problem wildlife specialist with Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services. The bear is underweight and has a damaged nose, possibly rubbing it raw from searching for food, he said.
“His body condition is less than we’d like it to be this time of year for sure," Ewald said.
On Halloween night Ewald said he didn't know if the bear would survive if he were relocated, as his body was in poor condition, however, after discussion with the provincial carnivore specialist and other officials it was determined he would be taken to southern Alberta to a centre for rehabilitation.
The Westlock News will have more to come.