Baby Bear Rescued in Maple Grove, Taken to Animal Hospital

It was quite a weekend for Maple Grove residents living near the Elm Creek Park Reserve. A baby bear was spotted in their neighborhood, eventually climbing up a tree when wildlife managers were contacted on Tuesday.

“Nobody reported seeing any adult bears in last two days,” said John Moriarty, senior wildlife manager for the Three Rivers Park District.

The cub was considered abandoned. Moriarty and DNR wildlife staff found the bear in a yard just south of the main entrance to Elm Creek Park Reserve.

Moriarty said the cub weighs about 7 pounds. Bears can start going off on their own normally after seven months or once when they weigh more than 20 pounds, he said.

It’s not known if this bear is one of the cub triplets seen with their mama in recent weeks in the Elm Creek Park Reserve.

“Until we get another sighting of [the mama bear] we don’t if it was hers or another bear,” said Moriarty.

Photo Credit: Three Rivers Park District

The cub was taken to Garrison Animal Hospital near Lake Mille Lacs, where it will be nurtured until it can go out on its own. That’s expected to happen next spring.

For residents who live near Elm Creek Park Reserve, Moriarty recommends removing bird feeders, securing garbage cans and storing away grills to avoid bears showing up in your yard.

“Bears can smell that nice, stale steak grease from miles away,” said Moriarty.

Moriarty also says bears are not to be feared unless a pet angers the bear or if a person gets between a mama bear and her cubs.

“Bears are not dangerous to people unless you put yourself in a situation where they could be,” he said.

The Minnesota DNR offers these tips on coexisting with bears.

Maple Grove