On St. Patrick’s Day in Jefferson County, a bear cub faced misfortune as its den was destroyed. An Environmental Conservation Police Officer named Jarecki responded to a report of a bear cub found in the cab of an excavator in the Town of Wilna, as per the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The excavator’s owner mentioned that while clearing trees and brush to widen farm fields, he inadvertently destroyed a bear den. Shortly after, the operator noticed a small bear cub, which climbed into the cab through an open door and hid inside. With the cub’s mother absent, Officer Jarecki safely retrieved the cub and placed it in a carrier. The following day, along with Officer Burgess, he transported the cub to the Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center in Greene County where it will be cared for until ready for release.