BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Veterinary hospitals across southwestern Idaho are volunteering to care for a black bear cub rescued from a wildfire burning in the eastern Idaho backcountry.
The bear nicknamed "Boo Boo" needs daily care for second-degree burns on all four paws. Mark Drew, a veterinarian with the state Department of Fish and Game, said he is checking into a handful of facilities and hopes to pick a place for the bear soon.
The cub needs his bandages changed every day for at least four to six weeks to heal.
Boo Boo weighs about 25 pounds and is estimated to be 4 months old. He was discovered Sunday night clinging to a tree in a region recently scorched by a massive wildfire near Salmon. Efforts to find the bear's mother were unsuccessful, officials said.
The cub likely hadn't eaten for at least four days and couldn't really walk when he was found, the Idaho Statesman reports. Officials had wanted to rehabilitate the bear at a wildlife sanctuary in McCall, but the extent of the burns requires more intensive care.
Boo Boo's story is not unlike the tale of Smokey Bear, a cub that became a national symbol for fire prevention after he was found in a charred tree taking refuge from a New Mexico blaze in 1950. He was also treated for burned paws.
In Idaho, state wildlife officials report they've been flooded with calls from people wanting to help Boo Boo and that once they pick a veterinary hospital, they will let the public know how they can donate for the cub's care.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:15 AM EDT2013-05-18 11:15:31 GMT
A Waterville man is in the hospital this morning after an early morning home invasion. Lucas County Sheriff's deputies got the call of an home invasion in the 8900 block of S. River Road in Waterville
A Waterville man is in the hospital this morning after an early morning home invasion.
Lucas County Sheriff's deputies got the call of an home invasion in the 8900 block of S. River Road in Waterville just before 6 a.m.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:12:55 GMT
$600 million dollars is up for grabs in Saturday's big Powerball drawing. It's the highest Powerball jackpot in U.S. history, and most expect it'll get even bigger by Saturday night.
$600 million dollars is up for grabs in Saturday's big Powerball drawing. It's the highest Powerball jackpot in U.S. history, and most expect it'll get even bigger by Saturday night.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:06 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:06:39 GMT
The woman charged with shaking and injuring her infant son was back in court Friday, and angry protestors were there to greet her. Residents gathered outside the Wood County Common Pleas Court wearing
The woman charged with shaking and injuring her infant son was back in court Friday, and angry protestors were there to greet her.
Friday, May 17 2013 9:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 01:57:13 GMT
Leaders at Lucas County Children Services say the need for foster and adoptive parents across the region is great. The agency is responding to community demand by adding more information and training
Leaders at Lucas County Children Services say the need for foster and adoptive parents across the region is great. The agency is responding to community demand by adding more information and training classes for people interested in fostering or adopting.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:35 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:35:27 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio has cleared an initial step to get before voters. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine certified a summary
A proposed constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana in Ohio has cleared an initial step to get before voters.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:36:58 GMT
An Adrian man, who appeared in federal court wearing a wig and women's clothing, is charged with having hundreds of pictures of child pornography. The case has many asking: Where were the pictures taken,
An Adrian man who appeared in federal court wearing a wig and women's clothing, is charged with having hundreds of pictures of child pornography. The case has many asking: Were any local children put at risk?
Friday, May 17 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:06:53 GMT
An 11 week old baby was stabbed to death in Sandusky Thursday night. Police say the suspect is the newborn's 19-year-old cousin. The community is in shock. Residents say they're sick to their stomachs
An 11-week-old baby was stabbed to death in Sandusky Thursday night. Sandusky Police say the suspect is the newborn's 19-year-old cousin Denzel Castile.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:14 PM EDT2013-05-17 21:14:50 GMT
An Ottawa County Judge has decided to reinstate Terry Camp Kruse Drivers license. She is the repeat DUI offender who killed 14 year old Ronnie Miller in 1993. Kruse served a 10-year prison sentence for
An Ottawa County judge reinstated the driver's license for Terry Camp Kruse. She is a repeat DUI offender who admitted to hitting and killing a 14-year-old while driving drunk in 1993.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:59 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:59:24 GMT
A South Toledo man appeared at Lucas County Municipal Court Friday on two misdemeanors. It all started Wednesday night when the man repeated called 9-1-1 because a neighbor's dog was barking. Timothy
Timothy Henneman was arrested for improper use of emergency services and disorderly conduct. It all started Wednesday night when the man repeated called 9-1-1 because a neighbor's dog was barking.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:37:34 GMT
In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little
In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers.
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