Two Bear Cubs Orphaned After Mother Gets Hit By A Car

Two bear cubs are now in custody of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, thanks to a Virginia State Trooper who rescued them after their mother had been hit and killed by a car on a highway. Following this incident, drivers are reminded to drive more safely because it is common for bears to cross major roads in the months of April and May as they come out from hibernation.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia has recently announced that it has taken four bear cubs into their custody so far this year. Of the four that are currently receiving treatment, two females were separated from their mother while the other two, a male and a female, were found by a trooper as they were left alone when their mother was hit by a car and died on a Franklin County highway.

Two of the bear cubs in custody of the West Virginia Wildlife Center were orphaned after their mother was killed by a car on a highway.

Amanda Nicholson, Director of Outreach for the Wildlife Center, has since cautioned drivers to be more careful when driving, especially during the months of April and May as it is common for bears to cross major roads during these months.

According to Nicholson, drivers must slow down when passing through a heavily wooded area, outside of the national forest (or along the national park) and should always be on the lookout for wildlife that can spring out of nowhere.

“They can be active at any point of the day. But they’re most active at dawn and dusk,” Nicholson said.

She also added that drivers should definitely “keep an extra cautious eye out for any animals that are crossing the road.”

The wildlife expert likewise pointed out that one of the most common mistakes people make is to take home a bear cub or any young wildlife animal they see abandoned. While the intention may be good, Nicholson said that it is wrong as it will seriously affect the creature’s ability to survive in the wild once they are returned.

Nicholson explained:

“In the case of bear cubs, we don’t want them getting used to a number of different people, so we want to get them to the professionals that can help them return to the wild eventually.”

Drive cautiously to avoid injuring or killing bears and other wildlife animals.

The wildlife center said that they will return the bear cubs to the wild in spring next year.