Bear Cub Surgery | Beanbag Round Recovered in Auburn

Rescue and Recovery

A young bear cub, found wandering alone in El Dorado County, is currently recovering after a specialized surgery in Auburn. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured the animal after local residents observed the cub struggling for over a week without its mother. The rescue team brought the cub to Gold Country Wildlife Rescue to address a visible injury on its hind leg.

Initial medical examinations provided a startling discovery. Radiographs indicated a cluster of metal beads lodged deep inside the cub's tissue. Staff members initially opted to avoid surgery, hoping the cub might heal through medication and rest. The goal was to keep the animal wild and prevent it from becoming accustomed to human presence during its rehabilitation period.

The Surgical Procedure

The treatment plan changed when the wound failed to close properly. During the subsequent surgical procedure, doctors found more than just metal. They extracted a beanbag round encased in a small fabric bag, along with a plastic shell cap that had punctured the leg.

Melissa McCartney, executive director at Gold Country Wildlife Rescue, noted that the fabric and plastic components were not visible on standard X-rays, which complicated the initial diagnosis. The medical team successfully removed the foreign objects, allowing the site to begin proper healing. The cub is now reported to be mending well under the care of the rescue facility.

Future Prospects for the Cub

State officials have confirmed that it is currently impossible to determine how the cub sustained these injuries. While law enforcement agencies use non-lethal beanbag rounds to haze adult bears, such items are not permitted for use by the general public. This case underscores the challenges of human-wildlife interaction in California’s foothill regions.

Gold Country Wildlife Rescue is maintaining a strict environment to ensure the cub remains capable of surviving in the wild. The staff expects the animal to join three other orphaned cubs at the facility in the coming weeks. Once deemed healthy and sufficiently wild, the goal is to return the bear to its natural habitat in El Dorado County. Public donations are currently supporting the medical costs for this recovery effort.