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Bear cub injured in Lake County brush fire recovering at Tampa zoo

TAMPA, Fla. — A bear cub that was rescued from a Lake County brush fire is recovering at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo.

Zoo spokeswoman Rachel Nelson said the 6-pound cub named Smokey Jr. has singed fur but "otherwise appears healthy and strong."

She said the veterinary team is giving the 9-week-old black bear cub minimal interaction "to reduce the likelihood of imprinting or habitation." The goal is to return him to the wild.

Nelson said once the cub reaches about 10 to 15 pounds, they'll relocate him to another facility to prepare him for release later this year.

Officials are still searching for the cub's mother in rural Lake County.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.