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Visitors can see rescued baby bear at Bearizona starting Dec. 22

The young bear was rescued from a Tucson neighborhood by Arizona Game and Fish wildlife officers on Dec. 10.

WILLIAMS, Ariz. — The public will be able to meet a recently rescued bear cub at Bearizona Wildlife Park starting on Dec. 22.

Workers at the wildlife park in Williams are trying to figure out the story behind the tiny underweight baby bear.

The staff at Bearizona has named the little guy Buddy.

MORE DETAILS: Bearizona takes in 1-year-old black bear rescued near Tucson

The AZGFD posted about the bear’s rescue on X (formerly Twitter) saying he had been separated from his mother and the adult bear could not be located.

The young bear was rescued from a Tucson neighborhood by Arizona Game and Fish wildlife officers on Dec. 10.

Bearizona tweeted out an update on the bear's condition on Dec. 19.

Buddy's weight doesn't match his age according to officials.

“The bear weighs 15 pounds, a 15-pound bear should be about four or five months old. The math doesn’t work,” said AZGFD spokesman Mark Hart.

Bearizona CEO Dave O’Connell said bear cubs are almost always born in January or February. A cub at that age should weigh closer to 70 pounds.

Another part of the mystery surrounding Buddy is his lack of fear of humans.

Those caring for Buddy believe someone could have been illegally feeding him.

“We will never know the whole story, but if someone illegally fed this cub for months, it could explain his comfort around humans. It might also explain why he is so small,” said O’Connell.

O’Connell also took the opportunity to remind the public about the dangers of feeding bears. Buddy could easily have been euthanized due to his comfort around humans.

“If you care, leave it there,” said O’Connell. “A fed bear is a dead bear.”

   

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