A family from British Columbia encountered a baby bear cub struggling in Okanagan Lake over the weekend and rescued it onto their boat. Initially unconcerned, the Zamniuk family quickly realized the cub was in distress as it struggled to stay afloat.
Christina Zamniuk described how the cub, named “Boo Boo,” appeared cold and shivering after being brought aboard. The family fed the cub some cheese to help it warm up in the sun.
Upon spotting the struggling cub, the family immediately contacted the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the B.C. SPCA for guidance. Despite receiving minimal assistance, they successfully guided the cub to shore, where it eventually swam off into the woods.
Despite the lack of response from the COS, the family was advised not to interact with the cub more than necessary to avoid habituating it to human contact. The COS later confirmed the incident and mentioned no additional reports of an orphaned bear cub in the area.
WildSafeBC commended the family for their actions and emphasized the importance of avoiding contact with wildlife, especially during active bear months like September. They reiterated that it is rare for black bears to need human intervention in water and advised contacting the COS in such situations.