Bear Cub Tries to Cross Canada-U.S. Border

The bear cub at border crossing between Stewart, B.C. and Hyder, Alaska on Nov. 4 Canadian Border Services Agency

Despite the closure of the Canada-U.S. border, an unusual visitor was caught trying to cross into the United States, skipping the proper procedures.

In a Twitter post shared on Nov. 4, the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) said a black bear cub “sought entry for essential reasons” between Stewart, B.C. and Hyder, Alaska.

Although she “had no travel documents,” she still made a “forceful attempt” to cross the borders.

In response, “our officers moved quickly to apprehend and transfer it to the Smithers Northern Lights Wildlife Society (NLWS) for the winter,” the post reads.

https://twitter.com/CanBorderPAC/status/1324033896581861377

Volunteers named her Annie, reported the Caledonia Courier.

NLWS founder Angelika Langen told the Caledonia Courier that “they had been aware of the young female black bear cub for some time hanging around the Stewart area, but had lost track of her recently.”

“For a few weeks we had traps out all over and then a bigger bear moved in and she moved out because she was scared so we lost her for a little bit and then she showed up at the border and our volunteer up there went over and she was in the trap within a few minutes; it went really quick,” Langen said.

Langen said they will take care of Annie for the winter as she does not weigh enough to survive through hibernation, but the cub is  in “relatively good health.”

The Canada-U.S. border closure for non-essential travel has been extended to Nov. 21.