Northern Lights Wildlife Rescue seeks donations to help with record-breaking bear cub numbers

A wildlife rescue centre in northern B.C. is bursting at the seams with bear cubs after takingin more than four times the number it usually sees at this time of year.

"In the worst year we had four at this time of the year,and now we have sixteen," said Angelika Langen with the Northern Lights Wildlife Rescue in Smithers.

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The organization acceptsorphaned cubs from across the province.

Langensays she usually plans for up to four spring cubs, so having 16 of them is putting a strain on her budget.

Her biggest expensesis a special powdershipped in from the United States that is made toemulate bear milk.

Langen believes the wildlife rescue centre isa victim of itsown success as more people learn about the shelter, more reach out to her for help.

But, she says, seeing the cubs get better makes it all worthwhile.

"It's awesome, it's really awesome," she said. "And then you see them playing around and that's really a treat."

Langen is hoping to find a private company to sponsor a webcam so more people can see her 16cubs grow, and possible attract more donors.

With files from Andrew Kurjata