It started with an orphaned cub named Makoon.

In 2012, a compassionate resident of St. Malo, Manitoba, rescued a dying cub named Makoon – but due to regulations that require Manitoba bears to be rehabilitated within the Province even though no rehabilitation facility existed in Manitoba, Makoon was released into the wild with a slim chance of survival. It was a turning point, as the absence of a bear rehabilitation program in Manitoba, home to an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 black bears, spurred Judy and Roger Stearns into action.

Located in rural Manitoba, Black Bear Rescue Manitoba (BBRM) plays a vital role in giving orphaned or injured cubs a second chance at life. Established in 2018 with the cooperation of the Government of Manitoba, BBRM stands as the province’s first and only bear rehabilitation facility. Certified by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, BBRM operates as a non-profit rehabilitation centre and registered charity, thriving thanks to the collective efforts of volunteers, veterinarians, and a dedicated bear biologist.

Under the devoted leadership of Judy and Roger, BBRM has become a haven where as many as 30 cubs per year have been cared for, rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Compassion, dedication, and a shared vision for the harmonious co-existence of humans and wildlife drives BBRM’s mission, and their facility capacity ensures that no needy cub will ever be turned away.

And so, though Makoon’s fate is unknown, his impact on the thousands of people in Manitoba and around the world who followed his story and fought for a better outcome resulted in the creation of a facility that has nurtured and cared for countless black bear cubs since its inception. Makoon’s legacy has become a beacon of hope for these orphaned or injured cubs.