KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Appalachian Bear Rescue posted on social media on May 29 asking for donations to help with an injured bear cub. As of Wednesday evening, it had received 55 donations totaling over $2,500.
ABR said it had received a call from Ryan Williamson, a Great Smoky Mountains National Park wildlife biologist, as he was on his way to investigate a report of a cub that had been seen around a ranger station for multiple days.
ABR said the cub was alone and walking in circles. They noted that this was usually not a good sign.
"Ranger Ryan arrived at the site, which is near Highway 129, also known as 'Tail of the Dragon,' and found the cub so weak that he could pick it up with gloved hands," ABR said.
The ranger then gave the bear some water and transported it to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.
According to Appalachian Bear Rescue, after they arrived at UTCVM, they learned the bear cub was a 4-month-old female that weighed around 6 pounds. Dr. Sheldon and her team then examined the cub and noticed that her skull was not symmetrical.
ABR said this is typically a sign of possible hydrocephalus.
Hydrocephalus is described by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons as a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain. The buildup of this fluid creates harmful pressures on the brain tissue confined within the skull.
"The term hydrocephalus is derived from the Greek words 'hydro' meaning water and 'cephalus' meaning the head," AANS said.
ABR said summer is around the time of year when hydrocephalic cubs tend to come to their attention.
"After four months of maternal care, they can no longer keep up with their mother, who is forced to leave them behind," ABR said. "Sadly, there is no future for a hydrocephalic cub, neither in the wild nor in captivity."
The bear cub then had a full-body X-ray and a CT scan of her skull, with the test results luckily coming out negative for hydrocephalus.
"She does have skull fractures, likely caused by a collision with a car or motorcycle, and a gas bubble in her brain resulting from the skull fracture," ABR said. "She also has a fracture at the jaw/zygomatic arch junction."
Doctors had to pull some of the bear cub's broken teeth but said that her adult teeth should still grow to replace the ones she lost.
ABR said the bear would spend the night in the ICU at UTCVM on Wednesday night. She will be on IV antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to help prevent brain swelling.
"Her prognosis is guarded; we hope the doctor will give us a better idea of how to proceed tomorrow," ABR said.
ABR finished the post with the note, "Please welcome Puff Bear."