Bear cub taken in by Manitoba man released back into wild by province

WINNIPEG – A young bear cub that has attracted a lot of attention in Manitoba has been released back into the wild.

The provincial Conservation department says Makoon (mah’-KOON’) is being released in a remote area along with another cub that was also found recently.

The move has upset the Winnipeg Human Society, which says Makoon will have a hard time surviving on its own after being cared for by humans.

But the Conservation Department says the two bears are in good condition, are large for their age and have been socialized with each other at the zoo in Winnipeg.

Five-month-old Makoon became something of a celebrity this year when he was found in a ditch near St. Malo and taken in by Rene Dubois.

The government says people should not take in wild animals, and should instead call a conservation office if they find an animal in need of help.