Nine Black Bears Released Back into the Minnesota Wild

On March 23, 2026, nine black bears were released from the Wild and Free wildlife rehabilitation center in Garrison, Minnesota, marking a significant event in wildlife rehabilitation efforts. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) assisted in the relocation of these bears, which had spent approximately a year at the facility. The bears, consisting of seven males and two females, were tranquilized, weighed, and ear-tagged before their release into the wild.

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The bears were brought to Wild and Free after being orphaned, and they underwent extensive care to prepare them for life in the wild. According to Katie Waugh, the wildlife program coordinator at Wild and Free, the bears were kept indoors until they reached a certain weight, after which they were moved outside to acclimate to their natural behaviors. The facility is unique in Minnesota for its focus on black bear rehabilitation, relying heavily on community support and volunteer efforts. In the previous year, around 100 volunteers contributed over 6,000 hours to care for the animals.

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Among the bears was a special case named Tripod, who had undergone surgery for an injury that resulted in the loss of part of his right front leg. Initially planned for release with the other bears, Tripod was moved to a larger enclosure to monitor his recovery and behavior post-surgery. If he does not show significant improvement, plans may be made to transfer him to a sanctuary.

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Katie Waugh emphasized the importance of community support in their rehabilitation efforts, stating, “It’s really important that people know that we love this work, we’re passionate about this work, but we can’t do it without support from the community and support from the public.” Andy Tri, the Minnesota DNR bear project lead, noted the procedural requirements for marking the bears, highlighting the importance of tracking their health and safety post-release.

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While the release of the bears is generally viewed positively, there are concerns regarding the long-term survival of rehabilitated bears in the wild, particularly those with injuries like Tripod. Critics argue that not all bears may successfully adapt to wild conditions after rehabilitation, raising questions about the effectiveness of such programs.

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Following the release, the DNR will monitor the bears to assess their adaptation to the wild environment. The ongoing support from volunteers and the community will remain crucial for the continued success of wildlife rehabilitation efforts at Wild and Free.

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• “This was our bear release day,” — Katie Waugh, Wild and Free Wildlife Program Coordinator

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• “It is insane how much care they need,” — Katie Waugh, Wild and Free Wildlife Program Coordinator

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• “It's really important that people know that we love this work, we're passionate about this work, but we can't do it without support from the community and support from the public,” — Katie Waugh, Wild and Free Wildlife Program Coordinator

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