A group of individuals was captured on video extracting two bear cubs from a tree in North Carolina, with the apparent intention of taking photos with the animals, ultimately leaving one cub orphaned and potentially harmed in the process. Watch the unsettling video here.
Initially, the cubs were partially hidden by the leaves. However, as the group approached the tree, some members reached through the foliage to grab the bears and pull them until they fell from the branches they were clinging to. One of the cubs was taken away before the other. The individual holding the cub treated it like a child, petting it with one hand, posing for a photo with a smile, while another person in the group seemed to take a picture.
One of the two cubs manages to break free momentarily and dashes away from the tree where the onlookers are gathered. The cub makes a beeline for the fence, stands on its hind legs, changes direction briefly, and makes another attempt. Just as it does, another person appears behind the cub and appears to signal an attempt to catch it.
Upon arrival, Hobbs discovers that the group is still present, with only one of the cubs remaining. The cub is found sitting in a retention pond on the apartment complex's premises, displaying signs of lethargy, a limp, and a low body temperature. The other cub is no longer in the vicinity.
"I addressed the individuals involved on the apartment complex grounds and emphasized the risks of approaching and interacting with wildlife," Hobbs stated, highlighting the specific dangers of handling bear cubs. She emphasized that such actions can pose serious threats to both humans and animals alike.
"There's always a possibility that the mother bear is nearby and may defend her cubs," she warned. "Handling bear cubs not only puts humans at risk but also endangers the cubs themselves. It increases the likelihood of injury to the cub and the chance of separation from its mother."
Wildlife experts emphasize the importance of non-interference with wild animals. Even in cases where a bear cub or another animal appears orphaned or injured, the advice is to "leave the animal alone and contact your state wildlife agency for assistance," according to the experts.
Following this advice, a bear cub was taken to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Center, a rehabilitation facility located in Candler. The cub is currently making a good recovery under the care of the center. The experts mentioned that the cub will stay at the facility until it reaches an age where it can be safely released back into the wild. Bear cubs require assistance as they cannot survive independently, and the refuge center will ensure the cub reaches a subadult age, typically between 4 and 6 years old, where it can fend for itself despite not being fully mature.
