‘Absolutely disgusting’: Internet slams North Carolina group after being caught pulling bear cubs from tree for selfies

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA: A group in North Carolina was reportedly caught pulling bear cubs from a tree to take a selfie.

An onlooker named Rachel Staudt shared a concerning video depicting two small cubs perched on branches of a tree along the fence of an apartment building in Asheville. In the video, approximately five individuals can be seen approaching the tree.

NC group pulls a bear cub to take pictures

Initially partially concealed by the foliage, the cubs become more visible as the group approaches the tree.

Several members of the group reach through the leaves to grasp the bears, pulling until each bear releases its grip on the branch. One of the cubs is removed from the tree before the other by one of the individuals.

As another member of the group appears to take a picture, that individual ends up holding the cub as if it were a young child, patting it with one hand, posing for the photo, and smiling.

Later, one of the two cubs appears to briefly break free and darts away from the area near the tree where the group has gathered.

The cub approaches the barrier, gets to its feet, turns around for a moment, then attempts again before another person approaches from behind and seems to make an attempt to grab it

Ashley Hobbs, a special projects biologist from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, responded to a report that several individuals were removing cubs from a tree to take pictures. She conveyed this information to CBS News in a statement.

The outlet reports that the agency's enforcement division has launched an investigation into the incident.

Hobbs stated, "I confronted the offending people while at the apartment complex and explained the danger of approaching and handling wildlife," highlighting that attempting to handle bear cubs can present serious dangers to both humans and animals alike.

"There's always a chance that the mother is nearby and may attempt to defend her cubs," she said. "It also endangers the bear cubs. Handling a bear cub poses a risk of injuring that cub and increases the chance it will become separated from its mother."

The cub was transported to the nearby Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Center for rehabilitation.

According to Hobbs, it is already showing signs of a full recovery there. The cub will remain under the facility's care until it is deemed mature enough to be released back into the wild, she informed CBS News.

The refuge center will postpone accepting a bear cub until it reaches the subadult stage, typically between 4 and 6 years old. During this period, bears begin to gain independence from their mothers, although they are not yet fully mature.

Internet slams the group for their inhumane behavior 

Several social media users criticized the NC group for their reprehensible actions. A Facebook user commented, "Then they would have expected help or sympathy when mama came along and ripped the skin off their bodies! Myself, I would have just cub sat till she was done!" 

A user wrote, "They need to be charged with animal cruelty!" 

Another user said, "Thank goodness Mama Bear wasn't around. Not because they would have been attacked but because she would be

shot & killed, just for protecting her babies. The cubs would be left orphaned All because of the stupidity & ignorance of people wanting a picture for the gram!!" [sic]

A user wrote, "They need charges brought against them. Every single one."

Another user said, "I would have LOVED mama bear to come out and eat them up. I would have had zero sympathy for them. I hope they at least get fined!"

A user said, "Can people raise kids to respect nature and understand the danger of it as well. Thank yu. "

A user wrote, "Absolutely disgusting." 

Another user said, "Lacking common sense! They should be charged for animal cruelty. So sad. All for a selfie."

While a user said, " Really would have liked to have seen the mom come out."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.