A young black bear cub that was severely injured in a fire last December is on the path to recovery at a sanctuary in Smithers, B.C., where it will eventually be reintroduced to other bears. The cub, now named Valkyrie, was found with serious burns on its feet, face, and back after being burned while in a hibernation den in a slash pile near Dawson Creek, B.C.
The Northern Lights Wildlife Society sprang into action upon receiving the call about the injured bear on December 20, taking Valkyrie under its care. Angelika Langen, the society’s manager and co-founder, mentioned that the cub, believed to have been born in early 2025, is responding well to treatment, although it will take several more weeks for full recovery.
While the bear’s facial wounds are healing satisfactorily, its paws require ongoing care with bandages and healing creams to prevent infections. Langen expressed satisfaction with Valkyrie’s progress, especially with the successful use of duct tape to secure the bandages for faster healing. The team at Northern Lights Wildlife Society anticipates that Valkyrie could potentially be released back into the wild by June after undergoing a gradual introduction to other bears at the sanctuary.
The initial discovery of Valkyrie, found curled up on a road near Dawson Creek, shocked rescuers who initially thought the bear was suffering from hypothermia. However, upon closer examination, it was revealed that the bear had sustained burn injuries. The cub was transported from Prince George to Smithers after being warmed up, a nine-hour journey in total.
Langen highlighted that bears often seek shelter in human-made debris piles for hibernation, which poses risks during controlled burns. It is suspected that Valkyrie had sought refuge in a slash pile that was accidentally set on fire, leading to her injuries. Despite facing harsh winter conditions, including a significant drop in temperatures, Valkyrie was fortunate to be rescued in time, as the extreme cold would have been fatal.
The efforts to aid Valkyrie in her recovery reflect the dedication of the team at Northern Lights Wildlife Society, underscoring the importance of wildlife conservation and rehabilitation in the region.
