A group of people were caught on video approaching and removing bear cubs from a tree in east Asheville.
In a video shared with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), a member of the group appears to pick up a bear cub, with no mama bear in sight.
The incident is under active investigation with the NCWRC's Enforcement Division.
One bear cub was sent to a Appalachian Wildlife Refuge following the incident, and the other couldn't be found, officials said.
“It seems like the people were handling it, and it somehow got away from them and sought refuge in that little pond in the middle of the apartment complex,” Ashley Hobbs, a bear expert for NCWRC and biologist, said. “It also was kind of favoring its front paw, kind of holding it up a little bit. So, it was in pretty rough shape. I captured it, put it into a transport crate and got ready to take it over to Appalachian Wildlife Refuge.”
She said in a statement that if they can rehabilitate the cub, it will be released back in the wild around September.
Hobbs added that it is dangerous for both bears and humans when bears are approached and touched.
"I do a lot of outreach, especially in Asheville and Buncombe County. And I'm always telling people give bears lots of space. We need to promote coexistence. Don't feed bears, don't approach bears," Hobbs said.
Wildlife officials recommend learning bear safety tips before navigating the region.