Bear burned at Davis Fire receiving continued care

A bear that was severely burned during the Davis Fire has been moved by the Nevada Department of Wildlife to the Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary and Nature Center for continued care.

Firefighters have a line around 92 percent of the 5,824-acre blaze that started Sept. 7 at Davis Creek State Park and is expected to be fully contained by Oct. 30. The fire claimed 38 structures, according to Saturday morning’s National Interagency Coordination Center’s situation report and cost $12.5 million to fight.

The male bear was found on Wednesday after Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue crews responded to a report of an injured bear off of Granite Road in Washoe Valley.

The state was immediately called to assist with the bear, where it was determined the bear had third-degree burns on his paws and burns on his face and rump as well.

After caring for the bear since Wednesday, Animal Ark agreed to rehabilitate G51. State wildlife veterinarian, Dr. Nate LaHue and Dr. Leslie Spears, wildlife veterinarian for the Animal Ark spent the day helping to attend to the bear.

In efforts to keep the bear wild, he will receive as little human contact as possible during treatment and rehabilitation.

“(The bear) has very serious burns on his paws, and he has a long road to recovery,” said LeHue. “However, he is a wild bear, and we hope to send him back to the wild.”

“He will receive a lot of love and attention here. Animal Ark is fabulous. I will follow-up with retreatment visits,” Spears said.

“We’re grateful for our partners at Animal Ark,” said Nevada Department of Wildlife Director Alan Jenne. “While NDOW manages over 900 species of wildlife in Nevada, we’re simply not set up to handle this type of long-term rehabilitation. It’s reassuring to know this bear will receive the best care available.”

The Department and Animal Ark will continue to give updates on the bear as they become available.

Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary and Nature Center is located 28 miles north of Reno and is a safe haven for injured, abandoned and otherwise non-releasable wild animals who act as ambassadors for their species.