Idaho Black Bear Rehab

Making a Positive Difference in the World of Bears

Since the first cub came to IBBR 29 years ago, over 200 bears have received care in our rehabilitation and release program. We know we’ve made a positive difference in the lives of those individual bears. We’re also confident that we’ve helped to foster an appreciation of the importance of individual animals in those who hear the story of those orphaned or injured bears, and those that hear about their successful release back into the wild for a second chance at freedom.

IBBR is more than an organization that rehabilitates and releases black bears. We are known world-wide for the success of our program and methods. We are a leader in the development of government and rehab facility implementation of ethical standards and methods for the  rehabilitation of bears. We are a source of assistance and guidance for bear rehab programs at other facilities worldwide. We are an organization that wants to instill in others the inherent value of the individual bear and to take responsibility for the protection of bears and the wild environment.

IBBR is working hard to protect the future world of all bears. We are     committed to sharing information with the public and wildlife agencies; information that can offer permanent and “bear positive” solutions to conflicts that without a different approach, lead to injury and orphan-states of bears. We are working to build compassion, protection, and ownership for the welfare of bears and their environment by developing and sharing successful practices for living, working, and recreating in bear habitat.

Education and Outreach for a Better Future

Situations that result in the need for bear rehab, property damage, and           personal injury, can be avoided by educating the public, and offering tips and solutions on how to co-exist peacefully with bears.

We have shared information to thousands of school children and the                general public. We continue to make  efforts to reach even more members of the local and  world-wide community using social media and electronic  mediums. We focus on an introduction into the world of the American Black Bear, and a unique glimpse into a program which works to rehabilitate and release orphaned and injured cubs back into the wild.  

Goals of our presentations included: 

1) Fostering an understanding and appreciation of the American Black Bear; 

2) Educating children about the habits and habitat needs of the American Black Bear; 

3) Giving an overview of a successful black bear rehabilitation program in Idaho; 

4) Showing how one person’s efforts can make a long-term positive impact on not only the lives of individual bears, but also on programs working to save threatened species of bears, worldwide.

After years doing our education programs, IBBR decided in 2017 to return our focus back to our rehab program.  We will continue to share information on Facebook and website to help educate the public on bear rehab.

In 2012, we introduced our Be BearWise initiative in communities and parks around the state of Idaho. We hope that our Be BearWise message will make a lasting and positive impact on wild bear populations and on the people who live and recreate in black bear habitat.  

Bear Hugs Program 

Special Thank You to all of you who already joined                IBBR's monthly donor program. You are very much      appreciated. Your participation helps insure we can    provide for the care of the bears on a daily basis and cover the additional monthly expenses we face to do                                                        that.   Everything else comes secondary & may have to                                                    wait.