‘Thriving and doing well’: Wildlife officials give update on bear cub removed from tree for pictures

CANDLER, N.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge provided an update on the bear cub that was pulled from a tree by a group of people in April.

A group was caught on camera picking up the cub from a wooded area in Asheville, North Carolina, to take a picture with it while another cub remained nearby. One of the individuals appeared to drop a bear cub in the viral video.

“This case has understandably brought up feelings of frustration, sadness and anger for many viewers, and we hope the act of witnessing these shocking visuals prompts people to reflect on the very real challenges that wildlife face every day,” Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Executive Director Savannah Trantham said. “The silver lining is that this cub was rescued by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). It is now safe and being well cared for despite being separated from its mom.”

Wildlife officials said the cub was taken in by Appalachian Wildlife Refuge (AWR). The facility is one of two licensed black bear cub rehabilitation facilities licensed by the NCWRC.

“Following a time to adjust to being in our care she was introduced to another orphaned cub that arrived previously,” Trantham said. “Both cubs are thriving and doing well in care. They are eating well and interacting with enrichment, doing all the things we hope to see with young cubs. Our team has no reason to believe that they won’t be released as wild bears in the fall.”

Trantham said it is important to remember that this case is making news because it involves a bear, but AWR sees the impact of similar harmful treatment of wildlife species on a daily basis.

“If all of the turtles, snakes, rabbits, opossums, squirrels, birds, raccoons and fawns got the same reaction when people harass, steal and harm them, then we would be winning,” Trantham said. “Unfortunately for us, this cub is only one of many animals that we rehabilitate due to the negative impacts of inappropriate human interactions. That is why this work is so important and valuable, so the public understands the harm that is caused by human interference and joins us in working to promote a healthier, more compassionate co-existence with wildlife.”

Officials said that it is not unusual or concerning for baby animals to be away from their mothers during the spring and summer.

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