Culture
Officials, firefighters who rescued bear cub from brush fire receive recognition from PETA

The black bear cub was taken from Wythe County to the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro, where he is doing well.

by Susan Cameron
March 28, 2024


The bear cub rescued during a brush fire in Wythe County on March 14 remains at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, where the staff says he is doing well. Photo courtesy of Wildlife Center of Virginia.

Wythe County officials and firefighters who rescued an infant bear cub from a March 14 brush fire are being recognized by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals with Compassionate Action Awards. ... The awards will go to Matt Hankins, assistant county administrator, and Chuck Parnell, the county’s director of emergency services, and his staff. The Ivanhoe Volunteer Fire Department will receive a Compassionate Fire Department Award.


Matt Hankins holds the bear cub he helped rescue from a brush fire. Photo courtesy of Matt Hankins.

“This bear cub, who almost certainly would have perished in the fire or starved to death, is alive today thanks to these individuals’ heroic actions,” PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch said in a news release. “PETA encourages everyone to follow their example by acting swiftly when they see any animal in danger.” ... Hankins said Wednesday he’s happy to receive the recognition “not just for me but for our other first responders and Wythe County. The recognition was a real surprise. I’m sure other people on the scene would have done the same thing if I hadn’t been there, because we have some really great people serving in our fire departments and rescue squads.”

The fire happened when a resident who was burning brush lost control of the blaze, Hankins said earlier. A former volunteer firefighter, Hankins responded to the scene to monitor the fire because he had been serving as acting chief of emergency services. ... An adult bear was seen leaving the fire, and those who saw it warned officials at the scene that a cub or cubs could be in danger.

It was Hankins who carried the 5.5-pound bear out of harm’s way, after finding him with the help of firefighters. The black bear cub could be heard yelping and was found about 2 feet from where the fire burned. ... Because the mother couldn’t be found and there was so much noise and commotion at the scene, she wasn’t expected back anytime soon. Hankins checked the bear for injuries and, finding none, he limited the cub’s exposure to humans and later turned him over to Kathleen Black, a state wildlife biologist based in Marion.

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