Cub released with Cinder, bear who survived wildfire, killed by hunter

PORTLAND, Ore. — Cinder the black bear is successfully making it through her first winter since recovering from injuries suffered in a wildfire. But the bear who was released alongside Cinder has been killed by a hunter, according to Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife bear biologist Rich Beausoleil.

Cinder, then 2½, was released into the wild with Kaulana, then 1½, in 2015.

Both bears were collared and officials tracked them over several months. Cinder made treks over tens of miles, but Kaulana stayed close to the release site.

Around October, Beausoleil reports, a hunter killed Kaulana. It was within bear hunting season and a legal kill.

The information gathered from Kaulana's collar will be used in research on black bears in Washington.

Cinder's collar continues to send signals to Beausoleil, who is monitoring her movement and progress. She is nesting like other females her age, Beausoleil said. Most bears will rouse and start foraging for food in a couple months.

Cinder's progress is incredible considering what she survived.

She made headlines and even inspired a children's book after the historic Carlton Complex Fire near Wenatchee, Wash., ripped through her native forest and destroyed homes.

When Cinder was found in the Methow Valley in 2014, she was severely underweight and crawled on her elbows because the hot ground had melted her paws. Her prognosis was dire.

After a year at Idaho Black Bear Rehab, officials decided it was time for Cinder to return to her natural habitat in central Washington. She made an incredible recovery and a new friend.

A younger, male bear — Kaulana — who had been found around central Washington, orphaned at about 6 months old. He wouldn't leave Cinder's side in rehab, so officials made an unorthodox decision to release Cinder back to the wild with Kaulana.

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