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GOLDEN, B.C. – A male grizzly cub rescued from near starvation is heading back home to the wild in Golden, B.C., after being nursed back to health as part of a unique pilot project.

Tika, whose name means Brave One in a First Nations language, has been living at a rehabilitation centre in Smithers since December but will be placed in its natural territory today.

The orphaned bear had limited human contact while being cared for at the Northern Lights Wildlife Society, where it fattened up in the winter instead of hibernating.

The grizzly has been fitted with a satellite collar and will be monitored for 18 months so researchers can determine whether releasing orphaned bears is viable.

Tika is the eleventh grizzly to be rescued, transported and released into the wild since 2008 as part of a pilot project between the rehab centre, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and British Columbia’s forestry and environment ministries.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare is supporting similar projects in Russia and India.

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