Bear Cub Burned in California's Carr Fire Has Wounds Treated With Fish Skins

A black bear that was found with burnt paws during the Carr Fire had its wounds treated using fish skins by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in Rancho Cordova on August 6.

The yearling female cub was found on August 2 near Whiskeytown, unable to walk on her burned paws.

On August 6, Dr Jamie Peyton of the US Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital began the bear’s treatment, which involved suturing sterilized tilapia fish skins over the burned tissue, the CDFW said.

The CDFW said the bear was the third to receive this type of wound care. It said it was optimistic the bear would recover.

Two black bears that underwent the same treatment after being burned in the Thomas Fire in January were released on August 8. Credit: California Department of Fish and Wildlife via Storyful