A black bear cub known as Double Green, rescued from a brush fire in Wythe County, Virginia, is set to be released back into the wild in March. Now almost a year old, Double Green has become the largest and most dominant among seven young bears at the Wildlife Center of Virginia.
Double Green was just 6 to 8 weeks old and weighed 5.5 pounds when he was admitted to the center after the fire, which burned nearly 300 acres. He was found by Matt Hankins, who heard his cries and rescued him from the danger of the flames.
At the center, Double Green has thrived, enjoying a diet of grapes and live worms. His caregivers have worked to ensure he retains his wild instincts, providing a natural environment for the bears to explore.
During the winter, the bears enter a state of torpor, allowing them to conserve energy while remaining active intermittently. The Wildlife Center aims to prepare the bears for a successful return to the wild, ensuring they exhibit natural behaviors.
The bears are expected to be released in a remote area chosen by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, minimizing encounters with humans and other bears. Hankins, who has followed Double Green's journey through live cams, hopes to witness the bear's return to the wild.