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When people think of a bear, they usually imagine a strong animal cloaked in thick fur. But when rescuers first saw Eve, a young black bear found in Placer County, California, she was nearly unrecognizable. Her skin was bare, pink, and scabbed, and she was in such poor condition that rescuers weren’t even sure she was a bear at all.
Eve’s rescue took place on Christmas Eve in 2017, which inspired her name. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife stepped in after she was found suffering from advanced mange. The disease had stripped her of her fur, left her underweight, and stunted her growth due to a lack of nourishment.
Beginning the Road to Recovery
Eve was transported to The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center, where the care team began working tirelessly to treat her condition. She was given frequent medicated baths to soothe her skin and treat the mange and lice that had ravaged her body. Though healing was slow, it was steady. Over time, tiny tufts of fur began to reappear.
Four months into her care, Eve’s health was improving, but her coat remained sparse. Still, her spirit never faded. She found joy in simple things, like splashing in the center’s pools. By July, the mange had mostly cleared, but she still struggled with persistent skin infections that required continued attention.
A New Future
Despite the progress, it became clear to the wildlife center that Eve could not survive in the wild. Her lack of fur made her vulnerable to temperature changes and environmental hazards. The worsening wildfires in California further reinforced their decision to find her a long-term home in human care.
Determined to provide the best for her, the team launched a campaign to raise funds for her transfer to the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Texas. The sanctuary offered her a peaceful, protected life in a space designed with her needs in mind. Her care wasn’t cheap, totaling close to $500 a week, but the team and generous donors believed she deserved nothing less.
A Life Worth Saving
Eve’s journey from the brink of death to a life filled with safety and love is a testament to compassion and perseverance. Though she never returned to the wild, she found something just as meaningful—a forever home where she’s valued and cared for.
Nicknamed the “Bare Bear,” Eve has come to symbolize resilience and hope. Her story serves as a reminder of the extraordinary work done by rescue groups like The Humane Society and Black Beauty Ranch. Thanks to them, Eve’s once uncertain future became one of comfort and security.
