They say things happen in threes, and last week was no exception. Over a span of just a few days, three more bear cubs arrived at SWCC.
The first cub came from the White Mountain Apache Reservation on October 12th. Just 15-20 pounds, this cub was orphaned when his mother was hit by a car.
Then, on October 14th, a second cub arrived from Payson, severely malnourished, weighing only 25 pounds at around 8 months old.
The next morning, a third cub came in from Tucson, also orphaned, underweight, and in need of immediate care.
All three cubs are much smaller than they should be for this time of year. Black bears are typically born in January, so by October, they should be well on their way to preparing for winter. But this year has been unusually dry, and the lack of precipitation means natural food and water sources are scarce. Bears and other wildlife are being pushed out of their usual habitats in search of resources.
As drought pushes wildlife into populated areas, it’s more important than ever to avoid feeding them, even with good intentions. Feeding wildlife creates dangerous patterns that put both animals and people at risk. Please see our Coexisting with Wildlife page for frequently asked questions and other resources.
Our bear population here at the sanctuary is quickly growing. Mama Bear and her cub are now in their outdoor enclosure, and Mama is showing signs of healing. Her cub is energetic and playful, and she is getting stronger each day. The two cubs rescued in the spring are thriving and still candidates for release along with the recent three additions, and of course, our four resident bears, Griz, Iggy, Cinnamon, and Heavenly, are always with us. That’s 11 bears currently in our care. And each week, we spend hundreds of dollars on their food alone.
Caring for 11 bears is no small task, and we can’t do it without you. Each of these bears, from the tiny orphaned cubs fighting to gain weight, to Mama Bear healing with her baby, to our beloved resident bears, depends on the generosity of supporters like you.
Interested in helping us keep these bears’ food bowls full? Here’s how you can help:
Purchase items from our Amazon Wish List– We need nuts, applesauce, and other essentials to care for the bears and other animals at the sanctuary. Click here to see our Amazon Wish List.
Send a Walmart e-gift card– The bears go through an astonishing amount of produce! We’re trying e-gift cards as a new way to help us offset the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, and other items that the bears eat the most. Please send to [email protected]. Click here to purchase.
Make a monetary donation through our website or the button at the top of the page, and share our mission with others who care about wildlife.
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in giving these bears the second chance they deserve. Thank you for being part of their journey.
October, 2025