FAQs

Can Smokey go out for a walk? When will Smokey be released? Read on for answers to some of your most frequently-asked questions about Li'l Smokey.

Q - Who is Li'l Smokey?
A - In short: Smokey is a black bear who was badly injured during the Shasta fires in July, 2008. He was rescued by a firefighter on July 17, and arrived at LTWC on July 18 with severe burns on all four paws. After several months of rehabilitation at LTWC, Smokey's paws healed, and he was successfully released back to the wild on February 5, 2009.  During his rehabilitation, Smokey's story was reported by regional and national media outlets, winning over the hearts of people all over the world. Check out the blog archives to read Smokey's full story.

Now that Smokey is back the wild, we are continuing this blog to chronicle some of the other wildlife during their stay at LTWC. The Frequently Asked Questions below were originally posted during Smokey's stay, but they also apply to other bear cubs who are rehabbing at LTWC.

Q – Smokey looks like he wants to go out.  Can’t you take him for walks so he gets used to being outside?
A – Li’l Smokey would LOVE to go outside, but, he is a wild little cub and there is NO WAY he would ever walk on a leash like a dog.  At the current time, we do not have an outside play area for the cubs.  That is in our master design if we ever get a new center.  We are planning on moving him to a larger cage, so he will have more room and new things to play with.  Remember -- in just three months (late January/early February), we are hoping to release him where he will be free and running in the forest, climbing trees.

Q – How will Smokey know how to find food for himself once he is released?
A – We introduce many different kinds and types of food to the bears that they will find in the wild -– where they will be released -- while they are in our care, so they have the ability to recognize what they can eat.  For example, fish is always put in water, both dead and alive.  They also learn how to eat crawdads.  Berries are still on the stems with lots of leaves, so they can learn the smell, taste, etc.  But, a lot of this is instinctive.  Mother Nature helps them a lot too.  We have to give her some credit!

Q – How will Li’l Smokey know how to interact with other bears when he is released?
A – Bears usually only interact with their mom and other siblings -– if they have any.  They don’t go around in groups or live together like many other animals do.  About the only time bears "get together" is when it is time to mate.  And that is for a very short time.  You will see groups together in a stream where there a lot of fish, but that is because there is food there, and usually, a lot to go around.  If and when we move Li’l Smokey to his new, larger cage, we are anticipating that we will be able to move one of our smaller cubs in with him.  

Q – Hasn’t the rehabilitation process made Smokey dependent on humans?  Will he be wild enough to make it on his own?
A – Of course Li’l Smokey is dependent on us to clean his cage (twice a day) and bring his food.  But, he is a wild bear. We do not go in with him and play or have any contact, other than his care.  He was 6 months old and had been living with his mom before he came to us.  He knows he is a bear and we have kept it that way!

Q – When will Li’l Smokey be released?
A – Li Smokey’s release date is still undetermined.  We are hoping for a release in the first part of 2009 (late January/early February).  

Q – Why do you release bear cubs in the middle of winter?
A – In rehab, we learn from each other. The wildlife rehab groups which have been caring for bear cubs for 25 years and longer, have learned that the best release is to put the bears in hibernation at the wildlife care center.  Then, they make a den and take the bears out while they are sleeping and place them in the den.  When the bear wakes up in the spring and comes out, he acts like all the other wild bears.  

Comments

[Susan]

My son donates to Vital Ground. That man does such great work with the Grizzley bears.
Could he not take Smokie to his camp?
I agree with the person who mentioned all the work done by other to save Smokie. Just to have some hunter shot him!!!
Pls. address this to all of us in a answer?
Thanks,
Susan

[Susan]

Question???

Where is Smokie's igloo?
This area in the webcam isn't his site.
Also, last week there were two bears running and hiding in the webcam.
Please explain....

[Robert North]

My wife and I are Lil' Smokey Supporters. We fell for him right away. The one thing that has haunted me since the plans were announced to set him free again (which is the right thing to do) is that he will be shot by a hunter. Then all the effort from the firefighter to the release and all the news stories and people following his progress will end in just another wild animals killing. Is there to be a brighter ending to Smokey's story?

[Sue]

How come no update since October 30th?? How come no new answers to frequently asked questions??

[Kim K.]

Where is Lil Smokey when you're cleaning his cage?

[Sheila Joyce Gibbs]

Hey wonderful care givers !!!
Is there a time, where Smokey's night lite's are out.....?
As I haven't seen our little babe for about a week now, and miss this priviledge you've blessed us with !!!
Praying his eye will be healed soon too !!

[Pam]

Thanks so much for posting the FAQ section. I have learned so much from it. Thanks for doing such a wonderful job with Little Smokey. God Bless all of you at the wild life center.

[Jamie]

Where does Smokey go when the cage is being cleaned?

[KathyC]

What is the yellow-looking food in the bowl he loves so much? Does he ever eat the fish?

[eliza]

where li'l smokey . his web cam not on ? . elizanobida@gmail.com

[Charlene]

I did learn something! Thanks for the info. God bless little Smokey all of his natural life.

[Jamie]

So with that last answer, it seems like the hibernation process is serious, in that they don't wake up for anything? Is Smoke gonna know what hit him when wakes up and he's back where he belongs? I hope he'll be ok!

[Mimi Routh]

Wow! God bless! If only we had public childcare with webcams, the moms could check in while they're at work! Wouldn't that be interesting!

[Sorry, Big Smoke, no money until my next check! Sent ALL the spare change to Obama!]

[Linda Dobbs]

Thank you for the information that you are providing on this FAQ page. Lil Smokey looks as if he is doing well and hopefully will be released back into the wild. Will you install an electronic tracking device to keep updated on Lil Smokey when he is released back into the wilderness? Have Lil Smokey's paws been fully healed? I am glad that Lil Smokey is now in a larger environment; it sure looks nice with the mat and pool areas. You guys at LTWC do an excellent job and should win a State of California award.

[Joanne in Redding]

There is a web-cam up now (11AM) it that Smokey or another cub--it looks smaller?

[colin]

Will smokey be electronicly tagged before he is released to keep track of him?

[Kat]

Ah, that explains a lot. How old are the other 6 cubs? Would he be likely to hurt one if they are put in the larger cage with him?

[Kat]

Ah, that explains a lot. How old are the other 6 cubs? Would he be likely to hurt one if they are put in the larger cage with him?

[Jana Everitt]

You are ALL to be commended for your EXCELLENT CARE of Smokey. It is wonderful to know he is doing so well and will eventually be set free to live life on his own.

Thank you for letting us enjoy his moments on his webcam.

Regards,
Jana

[Gonzo]

I just realized you have a this FAQ page. It covered all my questions! Thanks so much! I have learned a lot from your answers, and from observing Smokey. You are doing a great job!