Boo Boo the bear recovering nicely from forest fire burns
BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) - Boo Boo is getting better.
On Thursday, the Idaho Fish and Game said the injured black bear cub rescued from the Mustang Fire near Salmon is expected to make a full recovery.
"He's healing nicely," said Dr. Jeff Rosenthal, director of the Idaho Humane Society. "His pads and toes are no longer bleeding and new skin is already forming on the burned portions."
Boo Boo's injuries were severe enough that officials weren't even sure he could survive.
He's young so he has great healing potential," Rosenthal said. "If his recovery continues at this pace, he could be ready to leave the Humane Society's care in as little as two weeks." | Photos of Boo Boo
The bear weighed just 23 pounds when first examined last week, but appears to be making up for it.
"(He is) eating like a little pig, very feisty, and not very social," Rosenthal said. "He charges the cage front whenever anyone gets near, trying to scare us off."
Boo Boo hit the national celebrity circuit when word spread of his story about two weeks ago. Because of the publicity, the Humane Society has received more than $1,000 in donations.
Officials are now seeking fruit donations - especially berries.
"The donations are very much appreciated, but what we really need now are berries of any kind, be they strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or whatever," Rosenthal said. "But no more apples, please. We have enough donated apples to bake him an apple pie every day this month."
Get me a pic-a-nic basket, STAT!
I bet he can't wait to hot foot it right out of there!
 @stinger139 Nice pun.
Good luck, Boo Boo. We'll send you a nice picnic basket.
What a cute little bear! I hope he makes a full recovery and lives a long and bearry happy life away from fires and people.
Awww... he's really cute..!   Hope he continues to recover ~ burns are terrible injuries, but in his case, at least he's young, and the young ones tend to be more resilient ..Â
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Good Luck, Boo-Boo..!  :-)
"eating like a pig, very feisty and not very social" The ex comes to mind....she was a bear to put up with....
Poor baby. He's a cutie.
Reminds me... I saw a full-grown bear start to cross the road in front of me the night before last - I figure he was probably moving himself further away from the Hwy 141 fire, because that's the direction he was coming from, and it was perhaps a half-mile from it.
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@HarryJuku How beary kind of you. It's nice to see people with koalaties like compassion and giving. Maybe you can send it via polar express.