Physiological impacts of wildfire exposure on four American black bears

Abstract

A substantive wildfire season in Eastern Washington in July and August 2021 led to the admittance of four American black bears (Ursus americanus) to PAWS Wildlife Center for wildfire-related injuries. The animals each suffered burns of first to fourth degree classifications in addition to trauma related to smoke inhalation. In one case, the patient experienced either permanent or transient physiologic changes to the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. The basis for anticipating and managing trauma in wildfire-affected wildlife in these cases was extrapolated from published literature in small animal veterinary medicine. The purpose of this article is to help correct the absence of formal literature regarding the physiological impact of wildfires on wildlife in a rehabilitative setting.