APOPKA, Fla. — A scared bear cub sitting in a tree at an Apopka wildlife sanctuary for several days has finally made it down the tree, according to sanctuary workers.
- By law, sanctuary workers not allowed to handle bear
- The bear was on his own to get down from the tree
For over five days, the bear cub was stuck in a tree over a tiger enclosure at the C.A.R.E. Foundation, which has an exotic animal rescue center. The foundation also cares for big cats, such as the tigers and a li-liger.
On Wednesday afternoon, the foundation said it moved the two tigers in the enclosure below the bear. Around 4:15 p.m., workers shared video of the bear, showing that it had moved further down the tree.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been helping the foundation monitor and come up with a strategy to help the bear come down on its own.
It is believed the male tiger may have scared the bear, which may have been wandering around, and it went up the tree.
The female tigers are together and out of sight from the bear.
The foundation explained to Spectrum News 13 that the plan was to have the tigers play a lot to wear them down and then feed them extra meat near the end of the day.
Workers at the sanctuary are in the process of moving their tigers out of sight from the cub so that it might be more comfortable for him to come down when the sun sets tonight. pic.twitter.com/lKuy4l47iw
— Ken Ashlin (@ashlinphotos06) November 27, 2019
Care Foundation Animal Sanctuary owner Christin Burford hopes that putting the two females together today and feeding them heavy tonight will help quiet them down enough so that the bear cub will feel it’s safe enough to leave the area. @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/pOMJRjmYV1
— Ken Ashlin (@ashlinphotos06) November 27, 2019
The idea was to essentially put them in a food coma, and they will sleep heavily around dusk. Also around dusk is when the cub, which is believed to be around 1 year old, will wake up and officials hope he will come down on his own.
By state law, sanctuary workers were not allowed to handle or feed the bear in any way.