A disturbing incident unfolded in North Carolina on Tuesday afternoon when a group of individuals was captured on video pulling two bear cubs from a tree. It appeared that their motive was to take pictures with the cubs, but this action has resulted in one cub being orphaned and potentially injured. Onlooker Rachel Staudt recorded the unsettling scene, which showed approximately five people approaching a tree along the fence of an apartment complex in Asheville. The two small cubs were perched on branches, helpless and vulnerable.
As the group approaches the tree, the cubs become partially hidden by the foliage. However, some members of the group reach through the leaves and start pulling the bears, causing them to lose their grip on the branch. One of the cubs is pulled away earlier than the other, and the person holding it treats it like a small child, petting it gently with one hand. Meanwhile, another group member captures the moment with a smile and a photograph.
Later, one of the two cubs manages to break free for a moment and swiftly dashes out from the vicinity of the tree where the group has assembled. The cub makes a beeline towards the fence, stands up on its hind legs, briefly alters its course, and makes another attempt. However, just as it does so, another individual approaches from behind and appears to signal for it to stop.
Ashley Hobbs, a special projects biologist at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, has responded to a report regarding individuals who were pulling cubs from a tree in order to take selfies. In a statement to CBS News, she confirmed that the agency’s enforcement division has initiated an investigation into the incident.
When Hobbs arrived, she discovered that the group of people was still present, and only one of the two cubs remained. The cub was sitting in a retention pond on the apartment complex property. It appeared lethargic, limping, and had a low body temperature. Unfortunately, the other cub was no longer on the premises.
Hobbs stated that he directly confronted the individuals at the apartment complex and emphasized the risks associated with approaching and handling wildlife. He specifically highlighted the dangers involved in attempting to handle bear cubs, emphasizing the potential threats to both humans and the animals themselves.
According to the expert, there is always the possibility that the mother bear is close by and may try to protect her cubs. This not only puts the cubs at risk, but also increases the chances of them getting separated from their mother. Handling a bear cub can be dangerous as it may result in injury to the cub.
Wildlife experts, including Hobbs, emphasize the significance of refraining from intervening with wild animals. Even if a bear cub or another animal appears to be orphaned or injured, it is crucial to “leave the animal alone and reach out to your state wildlife agency for assistance,” Hobbs advised.
The cub has been taken to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Center, a rehabilitation facility located in Candler, where it is currently making a good recovery, according to Hobbs. CBS News reports that the cub will continue to receive care at the facility until it reaches an appropriate age for release back into the wild. Despite not being fully mature, bear cubs are unable to survive on their own. Therefore, the refuge center will wait until the cub reaches the subadult stage, typically between 4 and 6 years old, when bears become independent from their mothers.
