Singed bear cub survives forest wildfires

After a month of raging wildfires across the American west - all flame and smoke but little in the way of emotional drama - firefighters and reporters have at last stumbled on something to tug the heartstrings and symbolise the epic struggle against the forces of nature: a cuter-than-cute black bear cub.

After a month of raging wildfires across the American west - all flame and smoke but little in the way of emotional drama - firefighters and reporters have at last stumbled on something to tug the heartstrings and symbolise the epic struggle against the forces of nature: a cuter-than-cute black bear cub.

Plucked from the inferno of the Bitterroot National Forest in south-western Montana a few days ago, the little creature comes ready-packaged with a compelling rescue story and singed paws. With both the forestry service and the media anxious to dramatise a fire-fighting effort that has avoided human casualties or serious property damage, the cub is the closest thing so far to a victim and a mascot.

But almost immediately controversy raged over whether the poor thing should be exploited by our celebrity-seeking culture or simply left in peace.

The bear was spotted by a resident near the forest's East Fork last Wednesday, and after 24 hours' observation it became clear he was orphaned. He managed to survive thanks to the water supplied by a nearby creek and the carcass of a fire-roasted deer.

According to the state wildlife warden who eventually lured him into trap using chicken fat as bait, the cub was nevertheless reduced to skin and bones, barely able to walk and would certainly have starved if the fire did not get him first. "That cub was going to die on his own," said the warden, Joe Jaquith. "We had to go in and rescue him."

Yesterday, the cub was recovering in a concrete dog kennel at the Companion Pet Clinic in nearby Hamilton, his paws wrapped in bandages and hisbowl constantly refilled with dog food. He is expected to remain in care, and on antibiotics, for three weeks. What happens thereafter is hotly contested.

Some firefighters want to name him Smokey, after a mascot bear recovered from a fire in New Mexico half a century ago, and take him to Washington zoo. But Mr Jaquith has other ideas. "The goal is that the bear be rehabilitated and released into the wild," he said.

There is a dispute, too, over the copyright implications of the name Smokey. To be safe, his vets are calling him Crispy.