Virginia Bear Update #3, People

December 17, 2020

You saw in the last post, Transporting Virginia, how many people we needed. Probably about 20 Museum staff helped. Tasks included preparing the crate, gathering materials for securing the crate, creating the actual “catch” plan, scheduling bodies for lifting the crate, or actual moving of the crate, as well as a few people tending to all the internal and external communicating this effort required.

Group of staff move crate with bear inside — We had 11 of us up in the Cliff area for the catch. Four from Animal Care to set up and crate Virginia, and then seven from two different Infrastructure teams to help maneuver the crate and deliver it to the bear house.

Once in Raleigh, there were probably over 50 people at the College of Veterinary Medicine at NCSU that helped with Virginia’s care. Dr. Tara Harrison (you’ve seen her in previous blog posts doing laser treatments with Virginia) was the team lead and coordinated the planning of procedures and the entire day. In addition to members of the Exotics, Anesthesiology, Radiology, and Orthopedics teams, there were students, Equine team personnel, as well as hospital managers, and NCSU Communications staff.

Upon arrival at NCSU Veterinary Hospital, a large group gathered. I assume the arrival of a bear is not an everyday occurrence.

Group of NC State employees await bear crate arrival — I believe most of these people were from the anesthesiology team.

Tractor like construction equipment called a Bobcat lifts bear crate — A separate team from the equine division was specifically called upon to move the crate in and out of the van.

Group of people stand around bear crate — The crate offloaded from the van and ready to move inside.

With the crate on wheels, once it was off the van we could wheel it to its first stop. I was allowed in this first room. This is where we reviewed the schedule for the day, made plans for initial sedation, and got Virginia out of the crate, and prepped for her work-up.

Vet administers initial sedative injection — Dr Harrison, with her back to the camera, assessing and making plans for the initial sedative injection.

A couple of sneak peaks below of Virginia initially after sedation (and on the floor) and then lifted onto a gurney to get her situated for what was to come. Check back in a few days to learn more about sedating a bear and more.

Vet staff begin work up on bear

Three vets look at bear

Authors

Sherry Samuels Senior Director of Animal Care

Virginia Bear Update #3, People

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With gratitude for a life well lived

Bidding farewell to “The Best Pig”