Strange rescue staged after 3 terrified bear cubs watch mom killed on Virginia’s I-64

A mama bear was struck and killed early Saturday on Virginia’s Interstate 64, leading to an unusual search and rescue operation in the woods of Rockbridge County, 80 miles southwest of Charlottesville.

The trucker who hit the bear told state police it had been accompanied by three cubs who took off running, the Wildlife Center of Virginia reports.

All three cubs were later found 50 to 60 feet up, clinging to a treetop near the interstate, the center says.

They were still there a day later, appearing to be waiting for their mom to come get them.

It was then that an unusual community rescue operation was organized — dubbed “Operation Easter Cub Rescue” — involving state troopers partnering with the last people you’d expect: Bear hunters.

“A number of dedicated people stood watch over the cubs during the next 12 hours and ensured that help was on the way,” the center reported Sunday.

“Several local bear hunters also responded to the scene to watch over the cubs and to organize a cherry picker to come and safely retrieve the cubs from the tree.”

The cubs were safely pulled from the tree. However, the cherry picker, lent by BARC Electric Cooperative, got stuck in the mud and a wrecker had to be called to pull it out, the center said. The bear hunters offered money to both drivers, who declined compensation, the center said.

Wildlife biologists estimate the three female cubs are six to seven weeks old and their prognosis is good, despite the tragic death of their mom.

They are currently living with five other orphaned cubs in a large mammal isolation enclosure at the center.

This story was originally published April 14, 2020 at 7:55 AM.