A local bear rescue will be featured on a new documentary series set to premiere this weekend.
Cub Camp gives viewers a behind the scenes look at Black Bear Rescue Manitoba, one of North America's most successful black bear rehabilitation programs.
"It follows the story of our bears over the course of a year and, if you still haven’t had enough Winston, you’ll get your fill as he, along with his 5 sisters, is the star of the show," said Judy.
The 10-acre rescue, run by Judy and Roger Stearns, and hand built by Roger, welcomes orphaned black bear cubs to their facility every spring, giving them round-the-clock care to help them return to the wild.
Each cub arrives at the rescue with deep trauma from either being abandoned or orphaned. The Stearns bottle-feed and shelter them in an indoor enclosure where they can safely play. Before winter, each bear is outfitted with a radio collar and released into the wild.
The rescue took in an orphaned 12-month-old cub last month who was found in the Richer area. It's reported that this little one was thin and weighing only 33.8 lbs. "He was lethargic and suffering from a frostbite-injured paw. he seemed to have given up and wouldn't have lasted much longer. Thankfully he was seen and reported to Natural Resources by concerned people, and he made it to us."
Cub Camp premieres on Love Nature, Sunday, March 9 and on Cottage Life, Saturday, March 15.
-With files from Judy Peters.