A group of self-obsessed people in North Carolina were one mama bear away from learning that bear cubs are not there for the amusement of people who want selfies.
On Tuesday, a group of people near an apartment complex in Buncombe County hauled two bear cubs out of a tree, held onto one long enough for a selfie, then cast them aside to fend for themselves, according to WLOS. Only one cub could be found when help arrived.
Video of the stunt exists because Rachel Staudt was irked at the group’s actions.
“I tried telling them to stop, but they wouldn’t listen, so I thought recording it might help get justice for the sweet bear cub,” Staudt said, according to USA Today. “I’m not sure how long it went on for, but far too long.”
A group of people was recorded pulling two bear cubs from a tree in North Carolina on Tuesday afternoon, apparently to take pictures with the animals.
One could not be found and the other cub was transported to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Center, a rehabilitation facility in… pic.twitter.com/SpevzBnkpy— ∼Marietta (@MariettaDaviz) April 18, 2024
Ashley Hobbs, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission special projects biologist, said the commission was called in, according to WLOS.
“An apartment complex in the Fairview area that officer did ask me to assist him in response to that, so I did get on site, and I saw the cub,” she said, adding, “We do think that the bear probably had a pretty traumatic experience.”
The cub was wet and cold and was taken to a rehab facility. It will eventually be released into the wild.
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