A pair of sibling bear cubs that were separated for months by the Twentyfive Mile wildfire near Chelan were recently reunited.
Chelan and Chase were separated at 7 months old when the 22,000-acre fire moved so quickly they couldn’t escape.
All four feet on both cubs had second- and third-degree burns.
The people at PAWS took the bears in for treatment, which included controlling pain and inflammation, cleaning their wounds, and getting them dressed and bandaged.
Once they were medically stable and able to rehabilitate together, Chelan and Chase were reunited in an enclosure.
The cubs were curious at first, but once they recognized each other it was a moment the crew at PAWS couldn’t forget.
Video of the moment shows the bears hugging and playing with each other almost immediately.
Chelan and Chase will be given a final medical exam before they are prepared for hibernation.
PAWS is a private nonprofit that is funded primarily by individual donations. The organization depends on the generosity of community members to make its work possible.
KIRO 7 viewers can help the bears and other wild animals at PAWS Wildlife Center by giving at paws.org/helpbears.
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