One Bear Cub Injured, One Missing After Being Improperly Handle
By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network
ASHEVILLE, NC (WNN) – Following a viral video showing the removal of two black bear cubs from a tree, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) issued guidelines for encountering bear cubs.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, when a group attempted to pull two young black bear cubs from a tree, which was filmed and shared on social media. The group allegedly intended to take selfies with the cubs.
According to a press release from NCWRC, the cubs escaped after one bit a person. One cub was later found in a retention pond and taken to a rehabilitation facility; the other remains missing.
NCWRC’s BearWise Coordinator, Ashley Hobbs, rescued the cub from the pond, describing it as lethargic and frightened.
“It looked to be favoring one of its front paws and was wet and shivering,” said Hobbs.
Colleen Olfenbuttel, NCWRC’s Game Mammals and Survey Supervisor, stated that the cub likely sustained injuries during the removal from the tree.
“The cub’s condition is likely a result of the unnecessary and irresponsible actions of the people involved,” said Olfenbuttel.
NCWRC hopes the second cub found its mother, as the cubs are too young to survive alone, said James Tomberlin, NCWRC Mountain Operations Supervisor.
NCWRC advises the public against touching any bear cubs, emphasizing the risk to the cub and the person if the mother bear is nearby.
If individuals suspect they have encountered an orphaned cub, NCWRC urges them to contact official wildlife services and refrain from attempting to catch, touch, feed or remove the cub.
Olfenbuttel stresses that in North Carolina, it is illegal to capture or keep a black bear cub, and feeding a black bear of any age is discouraged to avoid habituation to humans.
NCWRC’s BearWise program emphasizes respecting a bear’s space, advising against taking pictures with the bear, such as selfies. Instead, capture a photo from a respectable distance, ensuring the safety of the bear and the onlooker.
The incident is under investigation.
It is always best practice to view wildlife from a safe distance and never touch or interact with animals in the wild.
Update from 04/24/2024: Charges were not pressed against the group who interacted with the cubs. On April 23, 2024, a representative from NCWRC emailed McClatchy News: “The bear cubs were immediately released, and officers have determined there will be no charges filed.”
The rescued cub was released from rehabilitation on April 23, 2024. The other cub has not been located.
Read more at:ย https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article287934750.html#storylink=cpy
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