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| US hiker given warning for rescuing 'abandoned' bear cub | US hiker given warning for rescuing 'abandoned' bear cub |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A hiker in the US has avoided criminal charges after rescuing what appeared to be an abandoned black bear cub from an Oregon trail. | A hiker in the US has avoided criminal charges after rescuing what appeared to be an abandoned black bear cub from an Oregon trail. |
| Corey Hancock, 41, spotted the bear lying on his back alone when returning from a hike on Monday evening. | Corey Hancock, 41, spotted the bear lying on his back alone when returning from a hike on Monday evening. |
| He said he believes the malnourished bear cub's mother had purposefully left him or been shot by hunters. | He said he believes the malnourished bear cub's mother had purposefully left him or been shot by hunters. |
| It was initially suggested he could face charges for removing the cub from his habitat. | It was initially suggested he could face charges for removing the cub from his habitat. |
| "I hid behind a tree and made sure there wasn't a Momma bear anywhere," he said. | "I hid behind a tree and made sure there wasn't a Momma bear anywhere," he said. |
| After the cub stopped moving entirely, he took the decision to "pack him up and make a run for the car" - wrapping the cub up in his flannel shirt. | After the cub stopped moving entirely, he took the decision to "pack him up and make a run for the car" - wrapping the cub up in his flannel shirt. |
| "He was totally unresponsive: I tried tickling his feet, messing with his ears and he didn't move at all." | |
| Mr Hancock says he gave the cub CPR then drove 20 minutes to get mobile phone signal on the highway - all with the bear struggling to breathe in his arms. | Mr Hancock says he gave the cub CPR then drove 20 minutes to get mobile phone signal on the highway - all with the bear struggling to breathe in his arms. |
| "I just kept talking to him and wiggling him - every time I thought he was going to die, he took another breath." | "I just kept talking to him and wiggling him - every time I thought he was going to die, he took another breath." |
| As soon as he got signal, he desperately asked his Facebook friends for advice on where to take him for medical help. | As soon as he got signal, he desperately asked his Facebook friends for advice on where to take him for medical help. |
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| Eventually Turtle Ridge Wildlife Shelter agreed to take the "malnourished, lethargic" bear in. They managed to stabilise the cub and regulate his hydration and temperature levels. | Eventually Turtle Ridge Wildlife Shelter agreed to take the "malnourished, lethargic" bear in. They managed to stabilise the cub and regulate his hydration and temperature levels. |
| Within 12 hours he showed significant signs of improvement and was transferred to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). | Within 12 hours he showed significant signs of improvement and was transferred to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). |
| Mr Hancock named the cub Elkhorn, after the location he found him. | Mr Hancock named the cub Elkhorn, after the location he found him. |
| The bear is expected to make a full recovery, and will be transferred to a full-time rehabilitation centre. | The bear is expected to make a full recovery, and will be transferred to a full-time rehabilitation centre. |
| A spokeswoman for ODFW told Oregon Live: "We advise people to never assume a young animal is orphaned unless they saw the mother die. It is quite common for young to temporarily be left alone in the wild." | A spokeswoman for ODFW told Oregon Live: "We advise people to never assume a young animal is orphaned unless they saw the mother die. It is quite common for young to temporarily be left alone in the wild." |
| The latest incident comes less than a year after tourists at the famous Yellowstone National Park sparked anger by placing a newborn bison in the boot of their car - an action that led to the animal being put down. | The latest incident comes less than a year after tourists at the famous Yellowstone National Park sparked anger by placing a newborn bison in the boot of their car - an action that led to the animal being put down. |
| But Mr Hancock says does not regret his decision. | But Mr Hancock says does not regret his decision. |
| "I've spent my entire life surrounded by nature - you know you're not supposed to pick up wildlife but this wasn't a typical situation," he said. | "I've spent my entire life surrounded by nature - you know you're not supposed to pick up wildlife but this wasn't a typical situation," he said. |
| "He was extremely emaciated - it was pretty easy to determine he hadn't had food for several days. | "He was extremely emaciated - it was pretty easy to determine he hadn't had food for several days. |
| "He'd been left for dead." | "He'd been left for dead." |
| Mr Hancock says he is thankful to ODFW for updating him on the cub's progress in recovery. | Mr Hancock says he is thankful to ODFW for updating him on the cub's progress in recovery. |
| "He's doing really well - he's running around and acting like a normal baby bear!" | "He's doing really well - he's running around and acting like a normal baby bear!" |
| Oregon State Police confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Hancock would not face criminal charges for taking wildlife outside of its habitat, due to the circumstances. | Oregon State Police confirmed on Wednesday that Mr Hancock would not face criminal charges for taking wildlife outside of its habitat, due to the circumstances. |
| Asked whether he would do the same again, he told the BBC: "Without a doubt - I'm a father, I have three kids of my own. | Asked whether he would do the same again, he told the BBC: "Without a doubt - I'm a father, I have three kids of my own. |
| "I don't think anyone who was a parent or a good-natured human being could walk away from another mammal taking his last breath." | "I don't think anyone who was a parent or a good-natured human being could walk away from another mammal taking his last breath." |
| More on bears |