ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A bear cub that was rescued from a central Florida fire is back in the wild after undergoing rehabilitation.
The Orlando Sentinel reports the cub was released at Goethe State Forest on Dec. 12 after stints of rehab at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo and Homosassa State Park in Citrus County.
Officials say the bear named Smokey Jr. was about 10 months old and weighed six pounds when a teen found him in Aprilalong a trail in Lake County. Wildlife officials couldn't find his mother. He had minor burns on his paws.
Smokey Jr. weighed about 100 pounds when he was released.
Florida Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman Katie Purcell told the Sentinel Smokey had limited contact with humans during his rehab to prevent him from becoming comfortable around people.
