Video shows people trying to pull two black bear cubs from trees in North Carolina

Video earlier this week showed people in western North Carolina trying to grab two bear cubs from a tree, and wildlife experts warned people not to approach the bears.

The incident occurred outside an apartment complex in Buncombe County and was captured on video Tuesday.

In video released by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, several people are seen trying to pull two black bears from a low-hanging tree branch. One man managed to capture a cub and appeared to pose for a photo with the wild animal. After shouting, the cub was dropped and was seen running along a fence with people chasing it.

Rachel Staudt, a resident of the apartment complex where the incident occurred, told the outlet asheville citizen times She decided to start recording the episode after asking other residents to stop pulling the cubs from the trees.

Ashley Hobbs is a biologist with NCWRC and coordinator of BearWise, a national education program that helps people coexist safely with black bears. Fence Run and was found soaking wet and shivering in a cistern. The other bear in the film has not yet been located, an NCWRC news release said.

The found cub was taken to NCWRC’s rehabilitation facility, and Hobbs told NPR the bear is now “doing well.” She said the cub was eating and drinking well, and after NCWRC staff fully evaluated the cub, they found no lasting harm from the encounter.

That being said, Hobbs warned that the incident was not without consequences. “We want wild bears to stay wild,” she said.

The rescued cubs will be raised in captivity before being released into the wild in the fall

Hobbs said keeping wild animals in captivity can be stressful for the animals, and sometimes rehabilitation facilities can’t mimic the conditions and care the animals are used to in their natural environment. Hobbs said keeping pups in captivity should be avoided if possible to ensure their safety and protection.

Black bear cubs typically stay with their mothers for about 18 months, according to the National Park Service. Hobbs said the cubs seen in Newcomb County were only a few months old.

At that age, “they are still dependent on their mother for milk,” she added.

Hobbs said because the cub was removed from the tree and could not be reunited with its mother, it will need to be raised in an NCWRC rehabilitation facility before being fully weaned in the fall before being released into the mountains of western North Carolina. explain.

What to do if you encounter a baby black bear

It’s common for female black bears to leave their cubs in a safe place while they search for food. “She would search for hours and then come back and pick them up,” Hobbs said.

She also said it’s normal in North Carolina to see black bears that are more active in the spring than those that hibernate in the winter.

So, Hobbs warns, if you see a pup alone in the bushes, or even on your back porch, that doesn’t mean it’s actually in danger or needs help. “Most of the time, that’s not the case. So if you see the pups alone, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. That’s why it’s good to give them plenty of space.”

Hobbes realized that if you saw a baby, you would want to get close to them because they are “the cutest little creatures you have ever seen.” But she warned, “You should never approach or attempt to handle a black bear cub.”

This is dangerous for the pup because you could accidentally injure it while handling it, or put it at risk of being orphaned or separated from its mother.

Interacting with cubs can also put people at risk, Hobbs said. According to BearWise, black bears rarely become aggressive. But, Hobbs said, they can harm people if they feel the need to protect their food or offspring.

If you encounter black bear cubs, give them enough space and “step back and walk in the opposite direction.”

If you want to take a photo, take it from a distance. “Our cameras now all have zoom. If you want to take a picture, you have to use zoom,” Hobbs said.

Commission spokesperson Anna Gurney told The Associated Press in an email on Friday that no charges would be filed against those who molested the cubs.