A young black bear cub, saved after sustaining severe burns last December, is on the road to recovery at a sanctuary in Smithers, B.C. Rescuers found the cub injured in a slash pile near Dawson Creek, B.C., with burns on its face, back, and feet. The Northern Lights Wildlife Society took the cub under its care on Dec. 20, naming it Valkyrie.
Angelika Langen, the society’s manager, mentioned that Valkyrie, born in early 2025, is responding well to treatment, although her paw injuries require more time to heal. Langen expressed satisfaction with Valkyrie’s progress, noting the use of duct tape to secure bandages and aid in the healing process.
The plan is to gradually introduce Valkyrie to other bears at the sanctuary, with a potential release back into the wild scheduled for June. Langen recounted finding Valkyrie on a road in Dawson Creek, initially thinking the cub was hypothermic until discovering the burns during an examination.
Valkyrie was transported from Prince George to Smithers after being rescued, enduring a nine-hour journey. Langen explained that bears often seek shelter in human-made slash piles, inadvertently becoming victims of fires set by individuals unaware of their presence. Valkyrie’s rescue was timely, given the harsh winter conditions that followed her ordeal.