Nine Bears Return to the Wild: A Look at Minnesota’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Efforts
Garrison, Minnesota – Nine black bears, once weighing as little as 3 pounds 10 ounces, were successfully released back into their natural habitat on Monday, March 23, 2026. The bears spent approximately a year at Wild and Free, the state’s only rehabilitation center dedicated to black bears, receiving care and preparing for reintroduction.
The Journey from Rescue to Release
The process begins when orphaned or injured bears are brought to Wild, and Free. Katie Waugh, Wild and Free wildlife program coordinator, explained that the bears are carefully nurtured through hibernation and beyond. Weights at release ranged from 64 to 119 pounds, a testament to the dedicated care provided.
“We keep them all yearlong, through hibernation, and then around the time they’re coming out of hibernation, that’s when we have the DNR come in,” Waugh said. The Minnesota DNR plays a crucial role, tranquilizing the bears, assessing their health, and relocating them to suitable forest environments.
A Collaborative Effort: Wild and Free & the Minnesota DNR
The release involved close collaboration between Wild and Free and the Minnesota DNR. Andy Tri, Minnesota DNR bear project lead, and his team were responsible for marking the bears with ear tags – a necessary step to track the animals and ensure they aren’t harvested by hunters after being tranquilized.
Wild and Free’s work extends beyond bears. The center cares for a wide variety of Minnesota wildlife, excluding adult moose, deer, skunks, and wolves. In 2025 alone, they took in over 70 bald eagles.
The Case of “Tripod” and the Future of Rehabilitation
One bear, nicknamed “Tripod” after losing part of a leg, presented a unique challenge. Whereas surgery was successful, staff observed he wasn’t moving around as much as hoped. He has been moved to a larger enclosure to assess his progress, with the possibility of relocation to a sanctuary if necessary.
The Costs of Compassion: Supporting Wildlife Rehabilitation
Providing this level of care is resource-intensive. Over the past year, the nine bears consumed:
- 100 pounds of Esbilac powdered milk replacer ($3,020 total)
- 600 gallons of goat’s milk ($3,000 total)
- 9,900 pounds of dog food
- 375 gallons of apples
- 150 gallons of sweet corn
- 300 gallons of various produce (watermelon, cantaloupe, berries, grapes)
- 600 gallons of acorns
Wild and Free relies heavily on volunteers and donations. Last year, approximately 100 volunteers contributed over 6,000 hours of their time.
“These are charismatic critters who wouldn’t have had a shot if it hadn’t been for Wild and Free,” Tri said. “They do this solely on donations, so it doesn’t cost the state anything except for our mileage, time and a little bit of anesthesia drugs.”
What to Do If You Find Injured Wildlife
Waugh advises caution when encountering potentially injured wildlife. She recommends observing from a distance for several hours to see if a mother returns before intervening. If unsure, contacting Wild and Free is the best course of action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What should I do if I find a baby animal that appears to be orphaned?
A: Observe from a distance for several hours to see if the mother returns. Contact Wild and Free if you are unsure.
Q: What types of animals does Wild and Free rehabilitate?
A: Wild and Free cares for almost every animal native to Minnesota, excluding adult moose, adult deer, skunks, and wolves.
Q: How can I support Wild and Free’s work?
A: You can volunteer your time or produce a financial donation to help cover the costs of animal care.
Q: Is it legal to feed wild animals?
A: It is generally not recommended to feed wild animals, as it can alter their natural behaviors and make them dependent on humans.
Did you understand? Wild and Free is the only rehabilitation center in Minnesota specifically dedicated to taking in black bears.
Learn more about Wild and Free and their essential work at https://wildandfree.org/.
