Bear cub from northern Ont. survives 10-hour drive to Windsor in back of van, being fed Taco Bell
A black bear cub survived a 10-hour drive to Windsor while being fed Taco Bell after being found in the middle of a road near Cochrane, Ont.
Chatham-Kent's Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) Centre had the unusual animal in its care for a part of the Labour Day long weekend.
Officials say they had to retrieve the young black bear from inside a van after receiving a call for assistance on Saturday evening.
"We have never had an actual bear call before that turned out to be a bear," said PAWR executive director Myriam Armstrong.
"Apparently two fellows were driving up north in Cochrane and found this bear in the middle of the road and decided to pick him up and drive him 10 hours down to Windsor," Armstrong explained.
"Somehow somebody heard about it and the police got involved. We talked to the police just to offer our services if they needed a place temporarily for the animal, because not everybody has a good spot to keep a bear and our animal controls are 24/7 for emergencies."
Armstrong said the bear was frightened and listless when it arrived, noting the cub had been fed tacos.Officials say they retrieved a young black bear from inside a van in Windsor, Ont. (Source: Myriam Armstrong)
“The bear was quite lethargic,” Armstrong said. “Very scared. I should mention it was fed Taco Bell, so I'm sure his innards weren't feeling so great neither. And, he was just really stressed. So were able to remove him from the vehicle, put him in our crates and drive him to the shelter here and put him in a safe enclosure, where he got to spend the night."
Armstrong told CTV News the Ministry of Natural Resources was notified, who suggested PAWR contact the nearest bear rescue centre. She said officials arranged for a volunteer driver to bring the bear cub halfway to Huntsville on Sunday, where it would then be transferred to a proper care centre.
Armstrong said PAWR staff were eager to help with such an interesting call, and also told CTV News she has not learned of any charges against those responsible for moving the animal.
"There are some pretty strict rules on keeping wildlife. You are not able to keep wildlife captive for so many reasons, I won't even have time to talk about all of them," Armstrong said. "Just common sense to start, you know, they're wild animals, so leave them in the wild, and a bear, obviously, there is some risk associated with housing a bear."
According to Armstrong, it's best practice not to pick up any animals that appear to be in distress, suggesting it's best to get a hold of a local wildlife rescue, the MNR, or police.Officials say they retrieved a young black bear from inside a van in Windsor, Ont. (Source: Myriam Armstrong)
Windsor police confirmed they received a call about a person with a bear on Saturday, saying a citizen found a small bear that was injured late at night. Police said the person made attempts to contact animal rescue but could not connect with them until the next day.
Police said at the time of the report, the bear appeared to okay, before it was brought to Chatham.
According to an email from a Ministry of Natural Resources spokesperson, the MNR was notified of an injured black bear cub in the possession of a Windsor resident on Saturday August 31. The bear cub was found in northeastern Ontario.
The MNR said the bear cub was transported Sunday to a facility in Sprucedale that specializes in bear rehabilitation - Bear With Us - with the assistance of PAWR.
The email said, Ontario laws generally do not allow people to keep wildlife. However, you may temporarily possess sick, injured or immature wildlife for up to 24 hours if you are transferring the animal to a wildlife custodian or veterinarian.
MNR officials said individuals should not approach or try to capture a wild animal without first talking to a wildlife custodian.
For more information on what to do if you find a wild animal that appears sick, injured, or orphaned visit How to help a sick, injured or orphaned wild animal in Ontario.
For more information on Ontario's animal captivity laws and accompanying offences, please see the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
Last week, the animal shelter announced it had suspended accepting surrender animals due to capacity concerns when more than 20 animals were in need of immediate care following an apartment fire in Chatham.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Donald Trump was the subject of 'an assassination attempt,' FBI reports
The FBI said Donald Trump was the target of “what appears to be an attempted assassination” at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday.
LIVE UPDATES 2024 Emmy Awards: 'The Bear,' 'Fargo' and 'Hacks' win acting awards
'Shogun,' 'The Bear' and 'Baby Reindeer' at the topo of the queue as the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards arrive on Sunday.
B.C. to open 'highly secure' involuntary care facilities
B.C. will be opening “highly secure facilities” for people with addiction and mental health issues in the province, officials said Sunday.
Calgary police honour 3 Calgarians who helped save Lanny McDonald’s life in airport incident
The Calgary police paid tribute to a trio of Calgarians who saved the life of Lanny McDonald at the airport in February, 2024.
They came from Jamaica for work, now they're homeless and out thousands of dollars in lost wages
Abuse of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program has left a group of carpenters from Jamaica 'destitute' after an Ottawa company refused to pay them for nearly half a year of work.
Montreal bars, restaurants react to Quebec bill to regulate merchant tipping requests
Quebec tabled a bill on Thursday that would regulate how merchants determine suggested tips, forcing businesses to calculate them based on the price before tax. Restaurant staff and management are divided on the policy.
Greater Sudbury resident dies in 5-vehicle crash involving 3 motorcycles near Port Dover
A person from Greater Sudbury died and two other individuals were transported to hospital after a five-vehicle crash near Port Dover, Ont., late Saturday afternoon.
Queen Victoria's favourite Tuscan villa for sale for more than US$55 million
Once a favoured holiday destination for Queen Victoria, and reputedly described in one of the greatest works of Italian literature, the Villa Palmieri is steeped in history and could now be yours – if you have more than €50 million (US$55 million) lying around.
Liberals will let Conservatives hold non-confidence vote 'fairly soon', no intention of proroguing Parliament
The Liberals have no intention of using procedural tactics to delay the Conservatives' promised non-confidence motion, and they have no plans to prorogue Parliament to hold onto power, according to Government House Leader Karina Gould.