A young orphaned bobcat named Tucker is the latest animal being nursed back to health at Langley鈥檚 .

The call came in July 7 from some people who had found the cub by the side of the road in Grand Forks, laying down and almost dead. Tucker was in critical condition and down to 600 grams when staff from the wild animal refuge picked him up that day.

鈥淗e鈥檚 getting stronger,鈥� said Gail Martin, Critter Care鈥檚 executive director. 鈥淚t was touch and go for the little guy.鈥�

Volunteers drove the bobcat from Grand Forks to Osoyoos while Critter Care staff headed up to meet them.

Not only did volunteers greet the Critter Care staff, but the mayors of Osoyoos and Rossland were there to see the handoff.

Staff immediately gave the young bobcat fluids.

He latched onto a bottle of formula on the way back, clearly starving.

The two staff members on the trip worked 15 hours straight on the rescue, including driving four hours each way.

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Veterinarian Dr. Ken Macquisten will be monitoring Tucker during his recovery, and Critter Care鈥檚 executive director Gail Martin, who is familiar with bobcat neonatal care, is supervising his round the clock care.

Right now, things are looking up for the little cub.

He鈥檚 almost 1,000 grams now, Martin said.

Tucker is believed to be about 10 to 11 weeks old. It鈥檚 unknown what happened to his mother or how he found himself by the side of the road.

For now, Tucker will be fed and gain his strength, and he鈥檒l slowly move up through larger enclosures.

Critter Care is already fundraising to build a sizable place for him to live as he gets larger.

The expectation is that he鈥檒l eventually be strong enough to be released into the wild again.

鈥淚t鈥檒l depend on him,鈥� Martin said.

Most animals rescued by Critter Care get veterinary care, vaccinations, food, and eventually are re-released into the wild. Some that are too badly injured to ever survive on their own stay at Critter Care鈥檚 facility in Campbell Valley Regional Park for the rest of their lives.