When people imagine a bear, they often picture a powerful creature with a thick coat of fur. But when Eve was discovered, she barely resembled a bear at all. Instead, she was completely hairless, covered in pink skin, scabs, and sores. At first glance, her rescuers were uncertain if she even was a bear. Eve’s journey began in Placer County, California, where the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife rescued her on Christmas Eve 2017. The young black bear was in terrible condition—she was suffering from severe mange, a condition that left her furless and malnourished.

Her development had also been stunted due to a lack of food. Rescuers decided to name her Eve, marking the day she was found, and took her to The Fund for Animals Wildlife Center, where her long road to recovery started.

At the center, Eve received intensive treatment to combat the mange and the lice that had ravaged her skin. Caretakers gave her regular medicated baths, hoping to restore her health and help her fur grow back. Though progress was slow, small patches of fur eventually began to reappear.

By April, four months into her recovery, her condition had improved, but not as quickly as staff had hoped. They saw some fur growth, but it was quite sparse. Despite these challenges, Eve remained playful, especially enjoying her time in the pools.

By July, the mange was mostly gone, but Eve still dealt with lingering skin infections that required ongoing treatment. The wildlife center remained hopeful but realistic about her future, acknowledging that only time would tell if she could one day return to the wild.

However, the staff eventually determined that releasing Eve into the wild wasn’t an option. Her lack of fur left her vulnerable, and the devastating California wildfires at the time further reinforced the decision to keep her in captivity for her own safety. But Eve’s story didn’t end there.

The wildlife center committed to ensuring Eve had a comfortable, permanent home. They began raising funds to transfer her to the Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in Texas, where she could live out her days in a spacious, specially designed habitat. Caring for Eve was no small task—her weekly care cost nearly $500—but they were determined to give her the best life possible.

Eve’s transformation was nothing short of miraculous. Though she wouldn’t return to the wild, she had found safety, care, and love. Thanks to the tireless efforts of her rescuers and the generosity of kind-hearted supporters, Eve, affectionately called the “Bare Bear,” had been given a second chance at life. And for that, she’ll always be cherished.