A family from British Columbia encountered a baby bear cub struggling in Okanagan Lake and rescued it onto their boat. Initially unconcerned, the Zamniuk family quickly acted as the cub began to struggle to stay afloat. Christina Zamniuk described how the cub was visibly cold and shivering after being brought aboard and was fed cheese while warming up in the sun.
The family promptly contacted the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the B.C. SPCA, who advised them to bring the cub to shore with minimal interaction. Despite their efforts, Zamniuk mentioned that authorities did not show up at the scene or provide clear guidance on the cub’s future. The cub, named “Boo Boo,” eventually swam to shore after some reluctance to leave the family.
While the COS acknowledged the incident and reported no further sightings of the orphaned cub, WildSafeBC commended the positive outcome for both the cub and the rescuers. They emphasized the importance of avoiding contact with wildlife, especially during September when bear activity is high. The organization also highlighted the rarity of a bear cub needing human intervention and stressed the necessity of contacting the COS in such situations.