Trail Cam In California Captures Escaped Bear Cub Having The Cutest Bath With A Plastic Teddy

You’re gonna love this story. It’s about a wild little bear who refused to give up his freedom, even after everything he went through.

His name is Tamarack, and honestly, he might be one of the most determined cubs you’ll ever hear about.

So here’s how it all started. Tamarack was just a tiny cub when wildfires tore through Northern California. The poor little guy got caught in the flames and ended up with badly burned paws.

Rescuers of Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Inc. stepped in fast and took him to a wildlife care center to heal. He got treatment, food, and a safe place to rest, but Tamarack had other plans.

You see, some animals are just born wild at heart. And Tamarack? He wasn’t about to spend his days behind a fence.

So one day, the clever cub pulled off the most daring escape. He broke out of his enclosure and managed to dig his way under an electric fence. Talk about determination!

He was headed straight back to the forest, the only place that truly felt like home. That’s when wildlife enthusiast Toogee Sielsch started keeping an eye on him.

Toogee has trail cameras all over the woods near his home, and every now and then, Tamarack pops up on camera. alive, healthy, and thriving. It’s like getting surprise visits from an old friend who refuses to be tamed.

And the best part? Tamarack is living his absolute best bear life. The cameras show him wandering through the forest, finding food, exploring streams, and, get this,  playing with toys. Yep, toys.

One day, Toogee’s camera caught something that melted his heart. There was Tamarack splashing around in a muddy puddle, having the time of his life with… a plastic toy bear.

No one knows where he found it, but it instantly became his little sidekick. In the video, Tamarack dips his paws into the water, gives the toy a playful nudge, then scoops it back up like he’s making sure his buddy’s okay. It’s so sweet!

And it’s kind of amazing, really. After losing his family, getting hurt, and surviving a wildfire, Tamarack still found a way to play; to just be a bear.

Toogee said watching Tamarack’s progress makes him feel proud and full of hope. And honestly, who wouldn’t feel that way?

This little cub went from injured and alone to strong, independent, and happy in his natural home, as Toogee shared in an interview:

“It makes my heart very happy to have watched his progress against all odds as an orphaned and healing cub of the year, now yearling. It shows just how tenacious wildlife is when it comes to survival.”

When Toogee shared the video on YouTube, people couldn’t stop watching. It got thousands of views, and the comments were full of love.

Tamarack’s story is one of those that sticks with you. It’s wild and heartwarming all at once, and it shows that even in the toughest moments, nature finds a way to bounce back.

And somewhere out there in the California wilderness, a brave little bear is still splashing in puddles with his favorite toy, living free just the way he was meant to.