Abandoned Bear Cub Does Not Survive

Linda Woodruff of Zimmerman found the male cub while walking her dogs Saturday.

Woodruff brought the bear to the Wild and Free Rehabilitation Program at Garrison Animal Hospital.

She was told the bear weighed only 25 pounds, and should have weighed 60 pounds. She says the bear's head had to be held up so it could eat.

Despite the efforts of veterinarian Katie Baratto, the decision was made to put the cub down. The young bear was getting weaker despite an infusion of food and fluids, and X-rays showed additional fractures.

Doctors decided the bear would have died if released to the wild, and would live in constant pain if maintained in captivity.