The Remarkable Journey of Jura: A Story of Resilience and Recovery

Meet Jura, a Resilient Orphaned Bear Cub

With the help of the Squamish community, Critter Care was able to rescue one of our newest orphaned bear cubs, whom we’ve named “Jura” after the street he frequented.

Our team first became aware of Jura in early September, when a video showed a small cub with a serious wound on his left hind leg. Although he could still put some weight on it, his limp was noticeable, and we knew he would need help to survive.

A Community Effort to Help Jura

It took several weeks of calls and observations to determine Jura's routine so we could strategically set live traps on nearby properties. However, capturing this little cub proved challenging. With plenty of apple trees around, Jura never seemed hungry enough to enter a trap.

Thanks to supportive homeowners, we were able to spread the word within the community, encouraging everyone to pick and dispose of any accessible apples. This reduced the food supply and eventually made Jura hungry—and brave—enough to enter one of our traps.

A Risky Rescue During the BC Atmospheric River

When the day came to collect Jura, a severe weather event known as an atmospheric river was hitting the coast of BC. Our team carefully made the journey to Squamish to retrieve him, despite the rain and cold.

Once safe with us, Jura spent his first night at Critter Care indoors in a warm kennel with food and water. The following morning, we took him to our partner veterinarians to assess his injuries.

Jura’s Vet Visit: A Resilient Little Fighter

At the clinic, Jura was sedated, allowing the veterinary team to inspect his wound more closely. We discovered he was a boy, and although lean for his age at 28 lbs., he was otherwise in good shape. The prominent wound on his leg was cleaned and, thankfully, didn’t require surgery.

With a course of antibiotics to ward off infection, his wound was expected to heal naturally. Jura had even managed to keep it remarkably clean on his own!

To be thorough, we opted for an X-ray to ensure there were no hidden issues. The results were astounding. The X-ray revealed an old, severe fracture of his left femur, likely caused by a motor vehicle collision.

Despite the gravity of the injury, Jura's leg showed impressive healing. New bone formation extended down the entire length of the femur, with the bones aligning almost perfectly. It was truly a best-case scenario, showing how resilient wildlife can be. This fracture was estimated to have occurred about six weeks prior, and Jura had managed to recover remarkably well on his own.

Wildlife Resilience: Letting Nature Heal When Possible

Jura's story highlights the resilience of wild animals and the incredible self-healing abilities they possess. When Critter Care receives reports of adult animals limping, such as raccoons or coyotes, we often assess their overall health. If they appear healthy and mobile, we allow them to adapt and heal naturally, minimizing unnecessary stress. However, when an animal is young and orphaned, as Jura was, intervention becomes essential.

The Road to Recovery and Future Release

Today, Jura is recovering in an outdoor enclosure at Critter Care, where he’s finishing his antibiotic treatment under close supervision. Once his wound fully heals, he’ll join other cubs his size, giving him a chance to play, socialize, and regain strength and stability in his leg.

When the time comes for Jura’s release, he’ll be fully prepared, his leg strong and capable, a testament to the resilience he demonstrated by surviving his injuries in the wild.

A Story of Hope and Strength

Jura’s journey is a beautiful reminder of the resilience within all creatures, great and small. His story will inspire many to appreciate the incredible strength that wildlife possesses and the importance of community support in protecting these animals.