Coronavirus alters bear release methods, other rehabilitation efforts

WASHINGTON — The coronavirus pandemic is changing the ways animal rehabilitation groups help and rehabilitate injured wildlife, including bear cubs.

For the first time since the start of COVID-19, the PAWS rescue group in Lynnwood had a large-scale bear release in early May, freeing seven black bears into the southern and northern Cascade Mountain ranges.

It was the result of countless hours of work and planning by wildlife specialists.

“We’ve worked together so long,” veterinarian Nicki Rosenhagen said, regarding the partnership between PAWS and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Everybody knew what everybody had to do. (Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife) was checking vitals,; (PAWS) was getting our equipment ready.”

In normal times, wildlife workers said the release of bears is like a science.

Before being released, each animal has to be knocked out, examined, then hauled away to the wilderness.

In the COVID-19 pandemic, though, that method disappeared.

Instead of examining the bears one by one, inside a cramped veterinarian laboratory, social distancing meant all of it had to be done outdoors.

“We took out the whole middle step of picking them up, moving them inside,, then putting them under that anesthesia, monitoring them that way, and then moving them out,” Rosenhagen said.

What followed was a bizarre assembly line of bears.

“We kept a good distance and had a little bit of trouble understanding everyone because of the masks, but you do what you have to do,” stated Rich Beausoleilof the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Workers said it was the most unique animal release in PAWS’ 50-year history.

All of it with no volunteers because of social distancing, and with a huge drop in donations.

“Anytime you involve a veterinary bill with anything medical, the price tag goes way up,” said Jennifer Convy, president of PAWS.

Tens of thousands of dollars later came a mad dash to release seven bears into the wild — with far fewer resources.

“We all just worked around each other, and it went pretty smooth,” Rosenhagen said.

“I came out after that first day. I went, ‘That went perfectly,’ and the next day went as well,” Rosenhagen told KIRO 7 News, adding that the overall release process actually got sped up in half a day.

Freedom for each released bear marked a triumph for wildlife workers during an otherwise trying time.

“We’re here at the end of the day to give these animals a second chance and get them back out into the wild. So when we can do that, it’s absolutely fulfilling our mission and our goal,” Rosenhagen proudly said.

There are three cubs still left at PAWS. Given the sped-up success that happened with the most recent release, workers said the system of doing everything outdoors might happen again.

PAWS is accepting donations to help with its overall mission of rehabilitating animals. To find out more, visit paws.org.

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