Emaciated bear cub rescued by Alberta wildlife organization

A cub spotted near the town of Barrhead, Alta., on Dec. 9 is now in the care of the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation. (AIWC)

Officials at an Alberta animal rescue organization have taken in an emaciated black bear cub found wandering alone earlier this month.

The cub was spotted near the town of Barrhead, Alta., on Dec. 9.

Once taken to the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Madden, staff weighed him and discovered he was just 15 kilograms (33 pounds) – about the third of the size of a healthy cub his age.

"Staff suspect the cub’s mother had been killed, and without her guidance, he was not able to gain the weight needed to undergo hibernation," the organization explained in a Wednesday news release.

Staff are working to slowly reintroduce the bear to food so as not to cause metabolic shock.

At this time the cub is eating simple proteins like eggs, but staff hope is to move him up to meats and eventually fruits and vegetables.

Officials say the cub is so in need of help he’ll have to stay at the facility for several months and potentially hibernate while in their care.

It's hoped he can be released into the wild in June 2025.