Bear Cub Returns to the Wild After Harassment Incident

A black bear cub has successfully returned to the wilderness after a troubling encounter with humans, North Carolina wildlife officials confirmed. The young bear was released last month in a secluded mountainous area in western North Carolina. A video shared by the Wildlife Resources Commission captured the moment the cub dashed from its carrier, hesitated briefly, and then bolted into the forest. To reinforce its natural fear of humans, the staff member releasing the cub used a noise-maker.

The ordeal began in April when wildlife officials responded to reports of two bear cubs being harassed at an Asheville apartment complex. Witnesses reported people pulling the cubs from a tree, with one person holding a cub for a photo before dropping it when it let out a screech. One cub fled, while the other was later discovered cold and frightened in a retention pond.

Ashley Hobbs, BearWise coordinator for the Wildlife Resources Commission, described the rescued cub as “lethargic and frightened” and noted it had sustained minor injuries. After being rehabilitated, the cub was deemed healthy enough to survive independently. Wildlife staff fitted it with a tracking collar and identification tags before releasing it back into the wild.

“Bear cubs are resilient animals, and it looks like this cub won’t be an exception,” Hobbs said, expressing optimism for the cub’s future. The second cub from the incident was never found.

Officials stress the importance of leaving bear cubs alone when spotted, as their mothers are often nearby foraging. Interfering with a cub can lead to separation from its mother or cause harm to the animal.

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