Celeste Blake
May 26, 2025
A baby black bear cub was discovered earlier this year in the Los Padres National Forest, orphaned and with no way to fend for itself. With no sign of her mother anywhere in sight, rescuers made the compassionate decision to bring her to a wildlife rehabilitation center — with hopes of eventually returning her to her true home: the wild.
The center, called Ramona Wildlife Center, is located in San Diego County. And here’s the part that surprised even me — the staff actually dress up in full bear suits while caring for her. Yes, you read that right.
At first, I thought that sounded a little strange too. But their reasoning is this: if the baby bear becomes too familiar with humans, it could put her at risk when she’s older. Bears who trust people too much may wander into neighborhoods or campsites, and sadly, that often leads to dangerous outcomes.
So by wearing bear costumes, keeping their distance, and using minimal human interaction, the staff are making sure this little one stays wild in spirit and instinct.
What’s beautiful about this story is that it won’t end in captivity. This baby bear isn’t being raised to live behind a cage. She’s being raised with the intention of going home — to roam free, climb trees, and one day become a strong bear in her natural habitat. In today’s world, where confinement of animals is still a reality, that kind of dedication feels rare and worth celebrating. We here at spiritual news wish the bear a happy landing when she is finally released back into the wild.
Image Disclaimer:
The image used in this article is for illustrative and journalistic purposes only. It does not depict the actual bear or its mother involved in this story.