A family from British Columbia had a remarkable encounter while boating on Okanagan Lake over the weekend. They came across a struggling baby bear cub in the water and decided to bring it aboard their boat for safety.
Initially unconcerned, the Zamniuk family quickly realized the cub was in distress as it struggled to keep afloat. Christina Zamniuk described how the cub’s nose kept going under the water, causing them to take action.
After rescuing the cub, affectionately named “Boo Boo,” the family noticed it was shivering from the cold lake water. They offered the cub some cheese to help it warm up in the sun.
Upon contacting the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the B.C. SPCA for guidance, the family was advised to bring the cub to shore without further interaction. Despite challenges in coaxing the cub off the boat, they eventually watched it swim to shore and disappear into the woods.
Although the COS did not respond directly to the incident, concerns were raised about the potential impact of human interaction on the cub’s survival in the wild. The family’s efforts were acknowledged by WildSafeBC, emphasizing the importance of refraining from contact with wildlife, especially during active bear seasons.
The organization reminded the public to exercise caution around wild animals, particularly bear cubs, as their mothers may be nearby and protective. While rare, situations like this underscore the need for prompt reporting to the COS in cases of distressed wildlife.
