“A Christmas miracle:’ Black bear cub recovering from serious burn injuries in B.C.

DAWSON CREEK — A wildlife rescue organization says it’s a “Christmas miracle” that a black bear cub it saved in northeastern British Columbia is recovering after parts of her face and paws were scorched and later developed frostbite.

The Northern Lights Wildlife says the nearly one-year-old bear cub the organization has named Valkyrie has even been enjoying smoothies made of fruits, oatmeal and protein while warming up at the rescue’s wildlife shelter in Smithers, B.C., after her rescue.

The organization’s manager and co-founder, Angelika Langen, says it’s difficult to imagine that the “little lady” recently endured a painful journey before volunteers saved her.

Langen said she received a call last Saturday from someone who saw Valkyrie sleeping in the middle of the road in Dawson Creek, B.C., and then moving slowly after being chased off the road.

A volunteer rushed to the site from the society’s headquarters in Smithers, B.C., an eight-hour drive, and found the bear cub at the base of a tree, covered in snow.

Langen said the volunteer spent the whole night keeping the cub warm before her daughter and her son-in-law drove hours to help the volunteer and the cub travel back to the wildlife shelter in Smithers.

Langen said the driving conditions were terrible as the areas had been hit with heavy snowfall.

But Valkyrie survived the journey and arrived at the shelter last Monday night. An exam found that she has frostbite on top of some burn wounds.

Langen said the bear may have been burned while hibernating, noting her fur, face and front paws were scorched.

“So, what we’re thinking is that she was hibernating in one of those wood piles that they leave behind after an area has been logged, and then that pile was set on fire, and she was burned fleeing from that burning pile of wood,” said Langen.

“Of course, you can imagine, if you have open burns and then you get onto the ice-cold snow, that’s a terrible combination,” said Langen, “She must have endured some incredible pain.”

But Valkyrie has been a “very co-operative patient.”

Langen said the bear allows Langen to carefully clean wounds and place layers of bandages on them.

“She hasn’t taken off the bandages,” said Langen. “I know my dog would chew it off right away, but she was smart enough to realize, ‘Hey, this actually feels better,’ and she left them on.”

Langen said Valkyrie is on antibiotics and painkillers and is healthier than before.

“The first couple of days, she was really, really docile, but now she’s fully awake, and she’s very calm and cautious.”

Valkyrie has been feeding on a Christmas smoothie and is now strong enough to start eating solid food, including fruit, meat and fish.

Valkyrie has also gained eight pounds so far, said Langen.

After the little cub’s rescue gained popularity online, Langen said her organization invited people on Friday to choose a name for her, and Valkyrie was recommended by many.

Langen said the cub’s named after a cocktail.

The Northern Lights Wildlife’s manager says the bear cub is a “Christmas miracle.”

“We’re forever grateful that she was found and we’re given the opportunity to give her a second chance,” Langen said in a video she posted on social media.

Valkyrie will stay in the shelter before being released into the wild in June.

Langen said it’s not the first time she and her team have rescued an injured animal during the holidays.

“My daughter used to threaten me, ‘If you’re not back for Christmas, I’m gonna be really mad,'” Langen said.

But Langen said her daughter has started going on rescue missions during the holidays.

“Nowadays, I tell her, ‘If you don’t make it back for Christmas, I’m gonna be mad,'” she said with a chuckle.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2025.

— With files from Aaron Sousa in Edmonton