North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, a not-for-profit organization that cares for the well-being of wildlife on Vancouver Island, B.C., says it has admitted two young orphaned black bear cubs. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Handout-North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre <\/p>\n
A wildlife sanctuary on Vancouver Island has taken in two young black bear cubs after their mother was found dead in their den.<\/p>\n
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre says in a Facebook post that the cubs were discovered by members of the public and they are the centre\u2019s first intakes of 2026.<\/p>\n
The recovery centre, located in Errington, northwest of Nanaimo, says in the statement that it\u2019s believed the mother was killed in a predator attack.<\/p>\n
It says that it\u2019s always unfortunate when wildlife need its care, but they are \u201cgrateful these cubs were found and given a second chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since their arrival, the centre says the two cubs have grown \u201cleaps and bounds\u201d from just 1.5 kilograms to almost 5.5 kilograms, and continue to put on weight quickly.<\/p>\n
It says most B.C. black and brown bears hibernate for four to six months a year, emerging around April, although Vancouver Island bears may come out earlier because of the milder climate.<\/p>\n