Sep 16, 2008 7:02 am US/Pacific
Burned Bear Cub Takes Big 'Step' In Recovery
LAKE TAHOE (CBS13) ―
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Lil' Smokey is recovering so well, workers now say there is a greater possibility that he will be returned to the wild.
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care
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Lil' Smokey is relaxing in his new larger cage. And he needed one! He nows weighs more than 35 pounds.
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care
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Lil' Smokey has dragged his favorite toys and blankets into his new igloo inside his new larger cage. As you can see, there is a screened wall to so he can experience the outside weather.
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care
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As you can see, there are no bandages or booties on Lil' Smokey's paws. Doctors want to see how well he does walking around on his bare paws as they continue to heal.
Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care
Li'l Smokey," a black bear cub rescued by a firefighter while fleeing a Northern California wildfire, has taken a major step in his recovery.
The bear cub is now walking on bare paws! Doctors have decided to give Lil' Smokey a trial at walking around without bandages or booties on his burned paws. Workers at the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care center say his paws are a bit red but that's to be expected.
Smokey has also been moved to a new bigger cage with one screened side that means he will be subjected to the natural weather outside. He also has a small igloo so he can "cozy down". Workers say he's already moved all his favorite toys and blankets inside the igloo.
Lil' Smokey now weighs 35.2 pounds meaning he's gained almost 25 pounds in the 8 and a half weeks at the center.
Doctors are also more optimistic that Smokey will actually be released back into the wild.
The cub, rescued by firefighter Adam Deem from a the "Moon Fire" near Redding on Thursday, July 17, likely stepped on scorching ground, and may have been burned by the flames.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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