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Sometimes, an unexpected solution can make a remarkable difference in an animal’s life. In December 2017, two female black bears suffered severe burns to their paws after surviving California’s devastating Thomas Fire. Their injuries were so serious that even walking became painful. Veterinarians at the University of California, Davis, turned to an unusual treatment: sterilized tilapia fish skin stitched onto the bears’ burned paws. Why fish skin? It is rich in collagen, a protein that supports tissue repair. Acting as a biological dressing, the fish skin helped protect the wounds and support healing. Within weeks, new skin had grown over the bears’ damaged paw pads, and their mobility improved. But their rescue didn’t end with medical treatment. The wildfire had destroyed their original habitat, leaving them without their usual shelters. California wildlife officers stepped in, building separate forest dens using logs, branches and other natural materials in Los Padres National Forest. In January 2018, after recovering sufficiently, both bears were released back into the wild, equipped with tracking collars so wildlife officials could monitor their movements. This extraordinary rescue shows how veterinary innovation and wildlife conservation can work together to give injured animals a second chance at life. Source: UC Davis — Bears Burned in California Wildfires Healed With Fish Skins, Released to Wild