Suffolk bear cub died from dart wound

WAYNESBORO, Va. (WAVY) - One of the bear cubs rescued from a tree in Suffolk died as a result of a perforated small intestine from the tranquilizer dart.

According to the necropsy report from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, any time an animal is tranquilized, there is the potential for injury or death during the immobilizing or recovery periods, or due to the drugs themselves.

In this instance, officials said with cubs in a tree in the median of a 4-lane highway during rush hour, darting was determined the most appropriate method of immobilization in order to remove the animals from that situation.

The mother of the bear cubs was killed after she was struck by a car trying to cross Route 58. The surviving bear cub fell 40 feet from the tree during the rescue.

After being tranquilized, both cubs were transfered to the Wildlife Center of Virginia and examined by veterinarians.

Radiographs and blood work were completed, but one of the cubs died during the night.

The Wildlife Center of Virginia will continue to work towards releasing the remaining cub.

To read more about the Suffolk bear cubs, visit the Wildlife Center of Virginia's page .