Clio Smeeton, of the Cochrane Ecological Institute (CEI), says the two bear cubs re-released into the wild on June 20 are fully equipped to survive. She believes, however, changes to the rehabilitation protocol would improve the chances of survival of all orphaned black bear.

"I think the bears are going to be very happy little bears where they have been released," says Smeeton. "I think they would have been happier if they had been together, but they've been separated and animals cope with stuff like that."

"They have all the skills for survival, so as far as that goes they'll be just fine."

While allowing for the rehabilitation of orphaned bears is a step forward, Smeeton now hopes the government will examine the protocol and consider expanding the window for accepting them and give further consideration to the best release time.

"They've changed a bit and let us rescue black bears. Now we want them to allow us to revisit the question of when we can take the bears. Everywhere else they're accepted right up into November so it would be nice if black bear cubs here could be accepted until November."

Smeeton says orphaned black bears are found in the wildlife long after the June 30 window. She explains when their mother is killed there still remains forage to keep them fed for a period of time.

"People start finding black bear cubs between June and September/October because they get desperate for food and they're all by themselves. It's an odd provision within the protocol that nobody can accept cubs after June 30."

Environment and Parks says the selection of June 30 date is based upon the best science available and used in all but special circumstances.

"This decision is based on the best available science and recognition that black bear cubs that are several months old at this stage would be able to survive without human intervention," explains Scott Lundy, assistant director of external communications for Alberta Environment and Parks. "We are not looking to re-examine the age at which human intervention is advantageous at this time because the existing black bear rehabilitation protocol takes into account the best available science."

Charlie and Maskwa have become the orphaned bear cubs rehabilitated in Alberta since the government reversed a policy that had been in place since 2010. Charlie, the male, was brought to the CEI in May 2018 and weighed about 4.5 kg. He now weighs 55 kg. Maskwa (Cree for bear), the female, arrived at the facility in July. She weighed 6.8 kg at the time and on release weighed about 55 kg.

They have been relocated into two remotely different areas by the Alberta government. Maskwa is in the Grande Cache area of the Eastern Slopes and Charlie is in the south. Each is equipped with radio collars and will continue to be monitored by officials of Alberta Environment and Parks.

Alberta Environment and Parks officials say they will be providing updates on the cubs to CEI and Smeetin is hopefully that will transpire.

The cubs were originally slated to be released at eight months old but responding to pressure the decision was made by the government to allow them to remain at ECI until at least mid-April, then extended that time period slightly longer. Smeeton is grateful this decision was reached and believes it increased their chance for survival.

She says releasing a cub at 7 to 9 months old when they are normally protected by their mother drastically reduces their chance of surviving the hunting season. 

Even now she hopes they are not gunned down by hunters and hopes they have time to settle into their environment before the fall black bear hunting season opens.

"They're both wearing collars so I hope that hunters notice the collars and decide not to shoot them because that would be such a waste."

Smeeton says the bears are about 20 months old and normally a cub spends its first 24 to 28 months with their mother.

She says a Pennsylvania study shows the success rate of survival climbs to 80 per cent when a bear cub is released in November with its hibernation box.

"They don't see anybody at all, they are just asleep in a box. You don't have to feed them, or don't have to do anything with them. You just let them sleep away, so there's no chance of habituation, and that's what everybody is worried about."

The same study shows the survival rate is 55 per cent when the cubs are released in the summer.

For now, CEI won't be allowed to accept any other orphaned cubs.

"Until their collars fall off, we're not allowed to have any more black bears, partly because of the monitoring and partially because of the protocol." 

There are estimated to be more than 40,000 black bears in Alberta. Each given year, about 10,000 black bear cubs are born

Not all cubs found in the wild are orphaned. There are times the sow will leave their young unattended cubs for up to 48 hours while they forage or find new habitats.

Do not approach the cubs. A sow may return and become aggressive in defence of her cubs. 

If you have reason to believe that a bear cub you encounter is orphaned, contact Fish and Wildlife at 310-0000. Officers will be dispatched and they will monitor the situation before taking action.

In Alberta, it is illegal for hunters to kill a bear under the age of one or to kill a sow in the company of cubs.

Alberta endorses other rehabilitation efforts.

"Alberta already endorses the rehabilitation of a wide range of species, including deer fawns, moose calves, bats, amphibians and now, black bear cubs," says Lundy. "Alberta uses a risk-based approach to assess whether or not a species is available for rehabilitation. Public safety and the safety and well-being of wildlife are paramount."