Wildlife staff free bear cub trapped in plastic jar

Cub reunited with its mother after rescue in Asheville’s Haw Creek area; officials urge residents and businesses to secure trash.

State wildlife staff rescued a black bear cub Oct. 8 after it spent several days with its head trapped inside a plastic jar in the Haw Creek area.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission began receiving reports about the cub through its Wildlife Helpline on Oct. 6.

Staff located the cub around 12:30 p.m. Oct. 8, distracted its mother and another cub, and anesthetized the trapped animal before carefully cutting away the container, agency spokeswoman Anna Gurney told WLOS.

"The jar prevented the cub from foraging for at least several days, though a crack in the plastic allowed it to breathe," Gurney said.

Before the rescue, staff observed the cub moving normally. An examination after it was anesthetized found no visible injuries. Its mother remained nearby and reunited with the cub after it recovered from anesthesia.

Wildlife staff also noticed a full dumpster at a nearby business, with a trail of trash leading away from it. Officials suspected bears had been searching the dumpster for food. Other bears had been seen going through residential trash cans in the neighborhood.

The agency urged residents and businesses to secure their garbage and asked the public to report distressed wildlife rather than attempt a rescue.

“Members of the public should not attempt to approach wildlife, particularly a female bear with cubs,” Gurney said.

The North Carolina Wildlife Helpline is available at 866-318-2401. Reports may also be emailed to HWI@ncwildlife.gov.