A Florida black bear cub named Rickie has returned to the Brevard Zoo after officials determined she was too accustomed to humans following her release last year. The cub, who was initially brought to the zoo in April 2023 after being found orphaned in northern Florida, was rehabilitated and released into the wild but has since been readmitted as a permanent resident. Zoo officials said Rickie began associating humans with food after members of the public offered her snacks during the months following her release. This behavior raised concerns about potential human-bear conflicts, leading to her readmission. Rickie now lives with the zoo’s other permanent bear residents: Brody, Betty, and Cheyenne. She joins them in the zoo’s enclosure after spending time in the East Coast Zoological Foundation’s Black Bear Rehabilitation Center. Rickie was just six weeks old and weighed 2.5 pounds when she was rescued. She was the smallest cub the Brevard Zoo had ever cared for, according to officials. During her rehabilitation, animal care teams used grille suits and other measures to avoid imprinting on her. They worked to ensure she could forage and survive independently in the wild. Despite these efforts, Rickie continued to approach humans and accept food from visitors after her release. The zoo said the decision to bring her back was made to protect both the cub and the public. Rickie’s readmission highlights the challenges of rehabilitating wildlife and the delicate balance between conservation and human safety. The Brevard Zoo has not announced plans for her future care but confirmed she will remain a permanent resident. Zoo staff said they are monitoring her interactions with the other bears and will adjust her habitat as needed. Rickie’s story has drawn attention from local residents and animal lovers, who have followed her journey since her initial rescue. The zoo encourages visitors to keep their distance from all animals and avoid feeding them, even if they appear friendly.