Black Bear Cub, Who Was Pulled from a Tree for a Selfie, Successfully Released Back into the Wild

Mar. 15, 2025

The black bear cub.Photo:NCWRC

NCWRC

A black bear cub that waspulled from a tree for a selfie in North Carolinaearlier this year has been successfully released back into the wild.

The black bear cub being released into the wild.NCWRC

After she was determined to be healthy and able to live in the wild successfully, the cub was given a tracking collar and identifying tags and marks to track her in the wild.

“The GPS collar data shows that she is adjusting well to life back in the wild,” NCWRC Bearwise Coordinator Ashley Hobbs said in a statement.

“Like most rehabilitated black bear cubs, we expect this cub to follow its instincts this winter and identify an appropriate location to den," she added. “Bear cubs are resilient animals, and it looks like this cub won’t be an exception.”

According to NCWRC wildlife biologists, bear cubs should always be left alone — even when found on their own.

The organization advises the public tocontact the NCWRCshould they ever find a bear solo and to not handle it, catch it, remove it or feed it.

She added, “It’s imperative for the public to never feed a bear of any age. This will cause it to become habituated to people, and with cubs, it makes it more challenging for successful rehabilitation back into the wild."

source: people.com