Bald 'Bare Bear' Makes Stunning, Furry Transformation After Her Move to a Texas Sanctuary

Rescuers found Eve the bear with one of the worst cases of mange experts have seen, according to the Humane Society of the United States

Kelli Bender
·3-min read
Black Beauty Ranch/HSUS Eve the bear shortly after her rescue in 2017 and Eve at Black Beauty Ranch

Black Beauty Ranch/HSUS

Eve the bear shortly after her rescue in 2017 and Eve at Black Beauty Ranch

Eve the bear has undergone an undeniable glow-up over the past seven years.

The animal first made headlines in 2017 when rescuers in Northern California found the bear dumpster diving on Christmas Eve. Bear sightings aren't uncommon in Northern California, but Eve's look at the time made her memorable.

According to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), rescuers from a California wildlife center took in the bear, then just a 30-pound cub, because she had "the worst case of mange many experts had ever seen." The infection left Eve almost entirely bald, earning her the title "bare bear."

Eve spent two years recovering at the center in California, where she received treatment for her mange and a healthy diet that helped the animal build her strength. The bear's rescuers considered releasing Eve into the wild but determined the animal was too dependent on humans and lacked the necessary skills to survive.

Black Beauty Ranch/HSUS Eve the bear shortly after her rescue

Black Beauty Ranch/HSUS

Eve the bear shortly after her rescue

Related: Rescue Bears Treated to a Fancy, Custom Meal Made by a Pro Chef to Celebrate Acing Hibernation (Exclusive)

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In December 2019, Eve moved to her forever home, the Black Beauty Ranch in Murchison, Texas. The 1,400-acre sanctuary is home to various animals, including five bears, who have overcome neglect, abuse, and mistreatment.

After arriving at Black Beauty Ranch, Eve continued to improve and thrive. Nearly 7 years after rescuers found bald baby Eve in a dumpster, the bear is now a 160-pound healthy animal who has grown back most of her missing fur.

Black Beauty Ranch/HSUS Photos of Eve the bear's transformation over the past seven years

Black Beauty Ranch/HSUS

Photos of Eve the bear's transformation over the past seven years

Eve spends her days at the sanctuary sniffing out the food her caretakers scatter throughout the grasses and trees of her large habitat, which also includes a pool. Once a cautious and timid bear, Eve now makes a point of seeking interaction with the other animals at the sanctuary and is known as a "sassy" personality among the sanctuary's staff.

Related: Bear Who Spent Her Life in 'Inhumane and Unhygienic' Cage Enjoys the Outdoors for the First Time

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"When Eve was found searching through trash, tiny and hairless, she looked nothing like a bear. The story of this incredibly resilient, strong, determined bear is remarkable. She has been through so much and has come into her own, expressing her natural wild behaviors, exploring, climbing high in the trees, splashing in her pool, and lounging in a nest she created at the base of her favorite tree. She is thriving and living the life she deserves, just getting to be a bear," Sue Tygielski, senior director of Black Beauty Ranch, shared in a statement.

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Black Beauty Ranch/HSUS Eve the bear enjoying her habitat at Black Beauty Ranch

Black Beauty Ranch/HSUS

Eve the bear enjoying her habitat at Black Beauty Ranch

Recent photos of the bear show Eve enjoying her daily life at the sanctuary while sporting a full coat of natural fur she's grown throughout her recovery.

To learn more about Black Beauty Ranch and its life-saving work, visit the sanctuary's website.

Read the original article on People

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