Yesterday, the cub’s behavior surprised me over and over. Today, I told a man with medical background about it, and as soon as I told him that the cub repeatedly lay down and curled up, he said, “That’s a sign of a head injury.” I believe it. The head is the part mostly likely to be clobbered as a car passes over it.Cub hit by car
First, I was surprised to see the cub’s lack of fear of the conservation officer that this little female walked by without concern in the picture. Then I couldn’t believe that she wasn’t paying attention to traffic and repeatedly wanting to lie down on the centerline and curl up. That’s where she was when I picked her up. I was surprised that she did not react when I first touched her. It was only when I had her almost up to my chest that she suddenly began to fight—desperately. Then, I could hardly believe it when I set her down to let her go and she turned and climbed the pantleg of the very person she was trying to get away from. And then went after two others, showing no judgment.
I’ve never seen those behaviors before and would say they are unusual. Maybe a head injury explains them. I hope she will be okay if she hasn’t already recovered and is one of Sallyann’s cubs that seem fine. The picture I have of her and the picture of one of Sallyann’s cubs are very similar. Time may show something different.
PS: My hand is healing well with no infection or pain. It looks dark where there are bruises and along the scratches. Going to be okay. Thank you for your good comments.
Thank you for all you do,
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center