A disturbing incident occurred in Buncombe County, North Carolina, where a group of people were seen pulling bear cubs out of a tree for selfies. According to reports from WLOS and other sources, the incident took place on Tuesday and involved multiple individuals who disregarded the welfare of the young bears.
The first source provides footage of one woman holding a cub while another takes pictures with it. The second source reveals that one cub was bitten by one of the people involved, while efforts to locate the second cub were unsuccessful. Both cubs were eventually found and taken to a rehabilitation facility for care.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has launched an investigation into the incident and emphasized that it is illegal to capture and keep black bears in North Carolina. Handling or capturing a bear cub puts both the animal and humans at risk, as mother bears may defend their cubs.
At this time of year, mother bears are emerging from dens with their cubs. The cubs are dependent on their mother for feeding and protection. By the time they are ready to emerge into spring, they typically weigh around 5 pounds.
It is important to remember that wildlife should be left alone in their natural habitats and not disturbed or harassed for selfies or other purposes. The NCWRC encourages people to live responsibly with black bears and follow the BearWise program for coexisting with these animals.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting wildlife and their habitats, especially during sensitive periods such as denning season. Let us all do our part in ensuring the safety and well-being of these magnificent creatures.
