Smithers, B.C. – It’s barely summer but the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in Smithers could sure use your help.

Manager and co-founder Angelika Langen says since June 1 four more bear cubs have come into their care bringing the total number to 20.

“We had three more cubs out of the Prince George area. The mother had to be killed because she was predating on livestock,” she says.

Photo courtesy Northern Lights Wildlife Society

“And then we had a small cub that came the same day as the triplets from the Smithers area and she actually had been hit by a vehicle two weeks prior to that and had suffered a broken jaw and by the time she was found she had almost starved to death. She couldn’t eat but she is now making a full recovery.”

Langen says 20 bear cubs is much higher than usual for this time of year.

“Yeah, we usually have maybe four or six by this time of year so we’re way above normal.

And what exactly does she attribute it to?

“It’s a combination of things. There were several sets of triplets, so that brings the numbers up really quickly,” says Langen.

“There’s better knowledge in the public that we exist so we get to hear about things faster and we have an excellent relationship with the conservation officers.”

However, with the extra cubs come extra costs. Especially when it comes to the amount of milk formula needed.

“At the moment we’re really strapped for cash because we have to purchase the special milk powder from the states and a bucket amounts to $360. And with 20 bear cubs right now it lasts two and a half days,” she says, adding it adds up to several thousand dollars a month.

If you’d like to help, Langen suggests donating through their website at www.wildlifeshelter.com.