Back in December 2024, a young black bear cub was found in heartbreaking condition in El Dorado County, California. Severely dehydrated, dangerously anemic, and almost completely bald due to a serious skin infection, the tiny bear weighed just 20 pounds—barely surviving on his own.

“It was tough to see,” said Chelsea Engberg from Gold Country Wildlife Rescue (GCWR). The rescue team immediately sprang into action with a carefully crafted treatment plan, unsure if the fragile cub would pull through. But over time, the little fighter began to recover. His fur slowly started growing back, and his natural bear behaviors—like playing and exploring—began to return.

By February, his transformation was nothing short of incredible. “When he first arrived, he didn’t even look like a bear,” Engberg said. “Now he’s doing great—and most importantly, he still steers clear of humans, which tells us he’s kept his wild instincts.”

But on May 13, GCWR announced that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife had made the tough call: the cub wouldn’t be released back into the wild. Instead, he’ll live out his life in a protected sanctuary, where he’ll stay safe and well cared for.

Thanks to months of dedication and compassion, this once-sick cub now has a new lease on life—and a place to call home.