Black bears are truly remarkable animals—and one little cub proved just how resilient they can be.

In December 2024, a severely ill black bear cub was rescued in El Dorado County, California, and brought to Gold Country Wildlife Rescue. Weighing just 20 pounds, the cub was dangerously dehydrated, anemic, and nearly bald from a painful skin infection.

“It was heartbreaking,” said Chelsea Engberg from GCWR. The team quickly got to work with a cautious treatment plan, unsure if the little guy would pull through. But day by day, the cub began to recover—his fur grew back, and he started playing and exploring like a healthy young bear.

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By February, the transformation was incredible. “He didn’t even look like a bear when he first arrived,” Engberg said. “Now he’s thriving—and thankfully, still keeps his distance from people, which is exactly what we want in a wild animal.”

On May 13, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife made the call: the cub would not be released back into the wild but would live out his days safely at a sanctuary.

Thanks to months of dedicated care, this once-sick cub now has a bright future—and a forever home.