It’s been a busy year for bear rescues: first two cubs in the spring, and now a mama and her baby have arrived at Southwest Wildlife in partnership with Arizona Game and Fish. The mama and baby bear were found at an apple tree, the cub high up in the branches, and mama on the ground below, fighting for her life. Despite being severely injured, she found a way to make sure her cub was fed.
The two bears arrived at SWCC on Thursday afternoon, and it was all hands on deck to get them settled safely.
Mama bear is in serious condition. Her injuries are severe, and we suspect they may have been inflicted by another bear. She has multiple infected wounds, injuries in both eyes, and hundreds of pellets lodged throughout her body, further complicating her situation. She may even be completely blind. Our veterinary team and partners are doing everything possible to give her a fighting chance, but her prognosis remains heavily guarded.
The cub is thankfully okay, a small silver lining in an otherwise heartbreaking situation. Bear cubs are typically born in January, but at just 12 pounds, this little one is severely malnourished and underweight, appearing much younger than she should. She did not suffer any major injuries, which was great news considering her circumstances.
We wish we knew their full story, but what we do know is this: Mama gave everything she had to protect and feed her baby. Now, we’ll do everything we can to honor that fight and provide them both with the care they deserve.
September, 2025