CPW officers rescued a bear Tuesday from the East Canyon fire in southwest Colorado. The bear is now at our rehab facility in the San Luis Valley and is expected to make a full recovery. Read all about it: https://t.co/PyjEyOf5xu @COParksWildlife pic.twitter.com/zOymW4QucI — CPW SW Region (@CPW_SW) June 17, 2020

As wildlife officers approached a black bear that had been severely burned from a 2,500-plus acre blaze burning in southwest Colorado, he did not move.

“You could tell it was really hurting,” recalled wildlife officer Steve McClung.

The injured black bear was discovered late Tuesday afternoon wandering the perimeter of the East Canyon Fire, which is located about 30 miles west of Durango. Local firefighters immediately reported the sighting to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The male yearling, likely between the ages of one and two years old, suffered from severe burns on all of its paws. Responding wildlife officers safely tranquilized and transported the 43-pound bear to the Frisco Creek Rehabilitation Facility for evaluation and treatment of his injuries. He’s now expected to make a full recovery.

In a similar 2018 incident, a bear cub was rescued after its feet were burned in the 416 Fire. The 54,129-acre blaze was located just north of Durango.

The bear burned by the East Canyon fire will be released into the wild once it recovers, but for now, it will be caged with concrete floors to assure his wounds stay clean and free of infection.

“We always hate to see injured animals, but we’re pleased we were able to rescue this bear so we can nurse it back to health and return it to the wild,” said Matt Thorpe, area wildlife manager in Durango.

To report wildlife in distress, please contact your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office. For a list of regional and area offices,  click here.