Bear cub burned in Lake County brush fire will return to wild

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — A bear cub who was burned from in a brush fire in Eustis and rescued by Lake County Fire Rescue could soon return to the wild.

The cub was nicknamed “Smokey Junior” when it was rescued in April. Officials made several unsuccessful attempts to reunite the cub with its mother.

The cub, who suffered burned fur and lung damage in the fire, was then taken to Lowery Park Zoo in Tampa to be rehabilitated.

Smokey Junior is now at a healthy weight and has regained his appetite, so officials said they plan to release him back to the wild in October.

Cox Media Group