Black bear cub with 'severe neurological disease' euthanized in Banff
A black bear cub with signs of neurological disease was euthanized in Banff last week.
The year-old black bear cub was found wandering alone on Banff’s Bow Valley Parkway and had “extremely poor body condition” and showed “signs of severe neurological disease,” according to a statement from Parks Canada.
The female cub was euthanized by parks staff on May 9.
“Due to the cub’s age and poor health status, rehabilitation was not a viable option,” read a statement shared by Parks Canada Thursday.
“This was the most humane action to take for the sake of the animal.”
Parks Canada said the signs of neurological disease were expected of an animal that is emaciated, severely dehydrated and close to the end of its life.
“As with any wildlife that is found deceased or euthanized in the national park, a complete necropsy will be performed on the cub by a licensed wildlife veterinarian,” Parks Canada said.
“At the present time there is no evidence that the cub’s condition reflects broader disease-related concerns in or for Banff National Park’s black bear population.”
In some cases, cubs can be placed with rehabilitation groups, but staff determined that with its extremely poor body condition, dehydration and anemia, survival was very unlikely.
Black bear cubs usually leave their mothers later in their second year.
In an unrelated case, Parks Canada also recently euthanized a collared male adult black bear after increasing problems with it foraging around busy parts of the Banff townsite. Parks said the public safety risk was growing too high, in a statement.
In recent years, researchers in California have been watching cases of black bears showing symptoms of neurological disease, particularly in the area of Lake Tahoe.
The cause is still a mystery, but is still relatively rare and does not appear to be impacting populations.
Viral infections including bird flu can sometimes lead to neurological effects. One bear in California also showed traces of the rodent poison bromethalin.
When asked if further tests were planned to determine a cause for the cub’s symptoms, Parks Canada said “there are no additional concerns at this time” and that the neurological symptoms were consistent with its poor health.
Black bears are a widespread and common species in Alberta and populations in North America have grown in recent decades.
Another neurological disease – chronic wasting disease – has grown rapidly in deer species in Alberta over the past two decades. It is caused by a misshapen protein called a prion that creates a cascading effect on the animal’s brain leading to death.
There is nothing to indicate any relation between the cases. While young animals can become infected, prion diseases typically take years to develop to the fatal stage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6973608.1721691615!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
2nd woman found dead in English Bay: Vancouver police
For the second time in as many days, a woman's body was found near Vancouver's shoreline Monday.
2 Albertans accused of threatening to kill Trudeau, Freeland, Singh
Men from Edmonton and Calgary are accused of threatening to kill some of Canada's top government leaders.
Athletes show off stylish and expensive team clothing for the 2024 Olympic Games
Canadian athletes attempting to reach the podium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will also be looking fashionable for the entire world to see.
Harris has support of enough Democratic delegates to become party's presidential nominee: AP survey
Vice-President Kamala Harris has secured the support of enough Democratic delegates to become her party's nominee against Republican Donald Trump, according to an Associated Press survey taken in the aftermath of President Joe Biden's decision to drop his bid for re-election.
Four suicides in New Zealand linked to Ontario's Kenneth Law
New Zealand's coroner has ruled that four of its citizens died after ordering products from an Ontario man who is facing murder charges for selling poisonous substances.
Toronto woman charged with voyeurism after taking 'intimate' photos during massage: police
A Toronto woman who allegedly took 'intimate' photos of an individual who was getting a massage has been charged with voyeurism, police say.
IN PICTURES Here's what Calgary's new event centre 'Scotia Place' will look like
The name of Calgary’s new event centre was unveiled on Monday. The arena will be called Scotia Place.
Harris steps into the limelight. And the coconut trees and memes have followed
If you're trying to get up to speed on Vice President Kamala Harris' swift emergence as Democrats' possible nominee this fall, you really need to know your memes.
These are the four leading vice-presidential picks for Kamala Harris' campaign
No one knows the importance of selecting the right running mate better than Vice President Kamala Harris.