An orphaned bear cub is in recovery after being rescued from a cliff where it had sadly been trying to suckle and cuddle its dead mother for more than 48 hours.

The black bear was first spotted by the operators of a local boat tour, who noticed that the cub was laying on top of its mom who appeared not to be moving.

John Forde, 54, who runs Tofino Whale Rescue Center, was alerted to the tragic situation and immediately boarded a boat to Ross Pass, British Columbia, with his wife Jennifer Stevens to access the situation.