Rickie, a Florida black bear cub rescued in April 2025 from the Florida Panhandle, has settled into the Brevard Zoo as a permanent resident. The cub was found alone at six weeks old and brought to the zoo’s L3Harris Animal Care Center for veterinary care and rehabilitation. Now, she is being gradually introduced to the zoo’s existing bears—Brody, Betty, and Cheyenne—in the Wild Florida habitat. Rickie was among 17 bears rehabilitated and released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Bear Management team, but her case was unique because she was returned to human care after initial release attempts failed.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed Rickie was transported to the zoo in April 2025 after being discovered wandering alone in the Panhandle. Without her mother, she had little chance of survival in the wild. At the L3Harris Animal Care Center, she received a full veterinary evaluation and intensive care. Staff monitored her closely as she adjusted to captivity, a process that took months.
Brevard Zoo officials said Rickie’s transition to the Wild Florida habitat began in early 2026. She is spending time in a separate enclosure to acclimate to the resident bears before joining them permanently. The zoo’s animal care team is working to ensure she forms social bonds with Brody, Betty, and Cheyenne, who have been living together since 2022.
The zoo’s director noted that Rickie’s case highlights the challenges of rehabilitating orphaned wildlife. While most bears in the rehabilitation program are released back into the wild, Rickie’s inability to thrive independently led to her permanent placement at the zoo. Visitors can see her in the Wild Florida habitat, where she will remain for the rest of her life.