This Man Saw A Baby Bear Near Death And Risked His Life To Give It A Second Chance

Not many people would risk their life to save a sick baby bear. However, when Corey Hancock came across a cub on the brink of death, there was no way he could leave the animal to die.

Hancock, 41, is an experienced hiker from Oregon and he was well aware of the danger that could befall him while saving the baby bear. Many mama bears will leave their cubs alone while looking for food, but it was clear that this little guy had been on his own for a long time. He was emaciated, hardly breathing, and lying flat on his back in the pouring rain. Without human intervention, he was bound to die.

Hancock took a picture of the struggling baby bear, then watched the cub from a distance. As time passed, it was clear that the mother was nowhere in sight. Finally, he sprang into action. He snatched the cub, wrapped it in a flannel shirt, and began the mile-and-a-half run back to his car.

Hancock took a picture of the struggling baby bear, then watched the cub from a distance. As time passed, it was clear that the mother was nowhere in sight. Finally, he sprang into action. He snatched the cub, wrapped it in a flannel shirt, and began the mile-and-a-half run back to his car.

Facebook / Corey Hancock

Hancock knew that if the mother was nearby, she was likely to attack. Nevertheless, he held the bear close and kept running, risking his own life to save the tiny, sick animal.

Hancock knew that if the mother was nearby, she was likely to attack. Nevertheless, he held the bear close and kept running, risking his own life to save the tiny, sick animal.

Facebook / Robin’s Special World News Reports – Flying The Web For News

A friend suggested that Hanncock take the baby bear to the Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center, an Oregon-based rescue that specializes in caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. On the way, he had to pull over and give the bear mouth-to-mouth resuscitation multiple times. Unsure if the bear would make it, he decided to name him Elkhorn.

A friend suggested that Hanncock take the baby bear to the Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center, an Oregon-based rescue that specializes in caring for injured and orphaned wildlife. On the way, he had to pull over and give the bear mouth-to-mouth resuscitation multiple times. Unsure if the bear would make it, he decided to name him Elkhorn.

Facebook / World Animal News

But Elkhorn DID make it! He was emaciated, dehydrated, and near starvation, but he was alive. For the next hour, Hancock and Turtle Ridge staff massaged and warmed the freezing cold bear and pumped him full of electrolytes.

But Elkhorn DID make it! He was emaciated, dehydrated, and near starvation, but he was alive. For the next hour, Hancock and Turtle Ridge staff massaged and warmed the freezing cold bear and pumped him full of electrolytes.

Facebook / The Seattle Times

Then it was time for Hancock to kiss Elkhorn goodbye. He left him in capable hands and rescuers assured him that the baby bear would have died without his intervention.

Then it was time for Hancock to kiss Elkhorn goodbye. He left him in capable hands and rescuers assured him that the baby bear would have died without his intervention.

Facebook / The Seattle Times

Today, Elkhorn is healthy, but his future is uncertain. It’s unlikely that he can be released to the wild, but Hancock hopes he’ll get an invitation to a wildlife sanctuary where he can live a full and happy life. If not, he could wind up in a zoo.

Today, Elkhorn is healthy, but his future is uncertain. It's unlikely that he can be released to the wild, but Hancock hopes he'll get an invitation to a wildlife sanctuary where he can live a full and happy life. If not, he could wind up in a zoo.

Facebook / Stop The Florida Bear Hunt

Read More: These Heart-Wrenching Photos Capture The Triumph Of A Dog Meat Farm Rescue

Be sure to share this heroic rescue with your friends and family! Hopefully, someone with the right type of resources will see this story and be able to give Elkhorn the life he deserves.

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