GATLINBURG, Tenn. — UPDATE (Sept. 6): Appalachian Bear Rescue said Wednesday that Plum Bear, who was orphaned after her mother was humanely killed due to human-bear contact, was released back into the wild. She was determined to be healthy and suitable for release.
By releasing her, the rescue said they could make room in case they needed to take in other cubs who need more help.
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Appalachian Bear Rescue said Friday another bear was euthanized after "terrifying" occupants of a Gatlinburg cabin.
It said on Friday, the rescue got a call from a biologist from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency who told them a trap had been set up for an adult bear in the Gatlinburg area. ABR said the bear had been trying to break into a cabin for several nights, pounding on windows and doors. It said Thursday night, the bear was especially aggressive.
TWRA said the bear wandered into the trap and was captured on Friday. The rescue said since the mother bear had been habituated to dangerous behavior before the current residents arrived, she had to be euthanized.
"The cabin residents did nothing wrong: they didn't leave food out, they locked their car doors, they did everything by the book," ABR said. "The cabin is in an area where, far too often and for far too long, bears have been fed either deliberately or through negligence."
The mother bear was also caught with a cub — now named Plum Bear. It was taken to the rescue, weighing around 54 lbs., large for her age of around 7 months old. The rescue said it plans to release her to Wild Enclosure 4 in a few days if all goes well.
"No one wants to euthanize a bear. No one. But the danger a habituated bear poses to the public is too great to be ignored, and relocating it just moves the problem into someone else's yard. Education is beginning to have an effect, but laws have to been enacted and enforced. Otherwise, this sad situation will repeat itself again and again and again," ABR said.
