The little bear cub that was injured in a fire in Eustis could be released by late November or early December, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said on Tuesday.
Smokey Jr., or S.J., was 6 pounds and 2 to 3 months old when he was found in mid-April after a 140-acre fire spread to the Royal Trails subdivision.
S.J. was found with singed fur and burned paws and was relocated to the Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo in mid-April.
He was transferred to Homosassa State Park, where he remains today.
“Smokey Jr. is doing very well since Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relocated him to Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park,” Tampa’s Lowery Park Zoo veterinarian Dr. Ray Ball told WKMG.
“We know he is now over 50 pounds, " Ball said.