Trash-eating bear cub spent days with its head stuck in a jug, NC rescuers say
A dangerous rescue had to be staged in western North Carolina, after a bear cub got its head hopelessly stuck in a plastic jug.
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It happened in the Haw Creek area of Asheville, and state wildlife officials learned of the predicament Tuesday, when people started calling the N.C. Wildlife Helpline (866-318-2401).
The dangerous part was trying to separate the cub from its fiercely protective mother, state officials said.
“At 12:30 (Thursday), staff were able to locate the cub, distract its mother and another cub, and successfully remove the container. It had to be cut off of the cub,” according to Anna Gurney, public relations manager for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
“While the cub was unable to forage for at least several days due to the jug covering its head, there was a crack in the plastic jug which allowed it to breath. Staff were able to observe the cub from a distance prior to darting it and the cub appeared to be moving normally with no appearance of injuries.”
Once the jug was off, the cub was quickly revived and reunited with its mother, who stayed in the area, officials said. There was no hint of lasting trauma to the cub.
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The incident is indicative of a growing problem in the Asheville area, involving humans giving hungry bears easy access to a buffet of tasty trash, experts say.
“Staff noticed a nearby business had a full dumpster with a trail of trash leading away from it,” commission officials said.
“They believe bears have been ‘dumpster diving.’ … Other bears were also seen foraging through residential trash cans in the same neighborhood in the days leading up to biologists locating and assisting the cub.”
The commission recommends people in the Asheville area purchase bear-resistant trash containers, or modify existing trash containers with straps, buckles or metal clasps to lock down the lids. Strapping the bin to something also prevents bears from carrying it away, experts say.
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Asheville is about a 130-mile drive northwest from uptown Charlotte.
