American Black Bear / Oregon Zoo

On 23 April state wildlife officials fielded a call from a Medford, Oregon, family that had taken a young bear cub from the wild and brought it into their home. With no idea how to care for the helpless yet wild animal, they turned to professionals. Those professionals turned to Michelle Schireman.

The animal keeper, who serves as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ population manager for cougars, has fostered orphaned cougar cubs for several years, having placed nearly 75 during her time with the Oregon Zoo — via  ZooBorns