Vermont rescues starving bear cubs after wild food shortage

MONTPELIER, Vt. – Vermont biologists say they’ve rescued several year-old bear cubs found starving this spring after a shortage of wild food in the state last fall.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife says biologists and game wardens have picked up malnourished bear cubs from locations as far apart as opposite ends of the state. The cubs were sent to a bear rehabilitator in New Hampshire that will care for the cubs until they can be returned to the wild.

In one case, a Wardsboro homeowner found a cub near death beneath her porch.

Biologist Forrest Hammond says wildlife usually should be left in their natural environment, but in rare cases bear cubs can be helped.