ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) – A video of individuals pulling two bear cubs from a tree in North Carolina as one individual posed for a photograph with one of many wild animals prompted an investigation, however a state wildlife official stated Friday that no expenses shall be filed.
When North Carolina Wildlife Assets Fee workers responded to a report of individuals harassing bear cubs at an Asheville residence complicated Tuesday, they had been advised the 2 cubs escaped after one bit an individual, in accordance with a fee information launch. One cub was discovered later in a retention pond, officers stated.
Within the video posted on-line by the fee, persons are not solely seen pulling cubs from a tree, however one individual poses for a photograph. Then, after a loud screech, they drop the cub, who runs for a close-by fence.
It’s unlawful to seize and hold black bears in North Carolina, however these cubs had been instantly launched and fee officers decided no expenses must be filed, fee spokesperson Anna Gurney stated in an e mail on Friday.
“Officers with the NC Wildlife Assets Fee have investigated this incident, and, whereas harmful and unlucky, it seems to be an remoted occasion,” Gurney stated. Officers and biologists spoke with the folks concerned concerning the significance of leaving bear cubs alone, she stated.
Ashley Hobbs, the fee´s coordinator for BearWise, a program geared toward serving to folks “stay responsibly with black bears,” captured the cub, who was in poor situation. The cub was taken to a rehabilitation facility with the objective of releasing it again into the wild later this yr, the fee stated.
“The cub gave the impression to be torpid and frightened. It seemed to be favoring certainly one of its entrance paws and was moist and shivering,” Hobbs stated in a information launch.
Employees searched unsuccessfully for the second cub.
“Our hope is it was capable of reunite with the mom as a result of it could not survive by itself at this younger age,” Mountain Operations Supervisor James Tomberlin stated.
At the moment of yr, mom bears are rising from dens with cubs, who’re depending on their mom to feed and shield them, Sport Mammals and Surveys Supervisor Colleen Olfenbuttel stated within the launch. By the point they’re able to emerge into spring, cubs, beneath 1 yr previous, sometimes weigh round 5 kilos, in accordance with the Nationwide Park Service.
“Individuals who attempt to seize or deal with a cub aren’t solely risking the cub´s security, however their very own if the mom bear is close by, as she might attempt to defend her cubs,” Olfenbuttel stated.
One resident advised The Asheville Citizen-Occasions that she was strolling round her residence complicated Tuesday afternoon when she noticed what was occurring, recorded it and alerted upkeep for the complicated. Rachel Staudt stated she has seen bears close to the complicated earlier than, however that individuals normally depart them alone.
“I attempted telling them to cease, however they wouldn´t pay attention so I assumed recording it would assist get justice for the candy bear cub,” Staudt stated. “I´m undecided how lengthy it went on for, however far too lengthy.”
Hobbs advised WLOS-TV that she felt pissed off after watching the video as a result of she usually preaches about the necessity to coexist with animals and to present them the area they want.
“We did observe up with the individuals who pulled the bear out of the tree,” Hobbs stated. “We did confront them on web site that day and allow them to know the way irresponsible and probably lethal it may very well be for that cub to be separated from its mother, particularly ripped out of a tree like that.”
This article was first printed by The Day by day Mail on 19 April 2024. Lead Picture: This picture offered by the North Carolina Wildlife Assets Fee exhibits a bear cub in Asheville, N.C. A video of individuals pulling two bear cubs from a tree in North Carolina as one individual posed for a photograph with one of many wild animals prompted an investigation, however a state wildlife official stated Friday, April 19, 2024 that no expenses shall be filed. (North Carolina Wildlife Assets Fee through AP).
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