In April, DWR wildlife division staff from multiple regions participated in a black bear chemical immobilization training day. This hands-on field day allowed staff (many of whom had recently completed the virtual Global Wildlife Resources chemical capture course) to participate in a chemical immobilization of two yearling black bears prior to the bears’ release from the Wildlife Center of Virginia (WCV).
Both yearling bears had been admitted to WCV in the spring of 2021 as orphan cubs and were slated for release this spring. Prior to release, all yearlings undergo a thorough health check and are tagged for identification. The two bears were trapped from the rehab facility and transported off-site for the work-up and subsequent release. DWR staff were able to practice numerous skills during the immobilization and monitoring, which includes providing supplemental oxygen for the bear while immobilized, checking vital rates (temperature, heart rate, respiration), tagging, and collecting biological samples (blood, hair, etc.). Following the successful work-up of both bears, they were released on a DWR Wildlife Management Area and happily ran off into the wild!
Original source can be found here.
