Current:Home > NewsA curious bear cub got his head stuck in a plastic jug. It took two months to free Juggles. -FutureFinance
A curious bear cub got his head stuck in a plastic jug. It took two months to free Juggles.
View
Date:2025-04-16 08:14:13
A bear cub got a little too interested in a pet food feeder and got its head stuck inside the plastic container – where it stayed for nearly two months – until Tennessee wildlife workers freed it.
The curious cub is recuperating at Appalachian Bear Rescue.
A resident near Chilhowee Lake first reported the cub's predicament on Aug. 14, after spotting a sow bear and four cubs on her porch, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. WRA Black Bear Support Biologist Janelle Musser responded and promptly began trying to catch the bear.
Musser was able to lure the cub into a trap, but it was unable to trigger it with its mouth because of the container stuck on its head, the agency said. She moved the trap each time a new sighting was reported, even trying a different-style trap with a foot-plate trigger, but the mother became trap shy and the efforts were unsuccessful.
On Oct. 3, a resident reported the cub was in a tree and Musser was able to dart the animal.
“Darting bears in trees is not standard practice and is only done in an emergency," Musser said. "This cub would not be able to continue surviving like this.”
Musser removed the container from the cub's head.
Despite the long entrapment, the cub did not have any abrasions from the container and was in relatively good shape other than his ears being mashed down, Musser said, adding the capture would not have been possible without help from the community reporting sightings and allowing traps on their properties.
Bear cub now recuperating at Appalachian Bear Rescue
The bear cub, which has been named Juggles by Appalachian Bear Rescue, is recuperating from its ordeal at the rehabilitation center in Townsend, Tennessee. The rescue group takes in orphaned and injured black bear cubs with the goal of releasing them back to the wild as soon as possible.
Rescue group staff took Juggles to the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine for a medical check, and the staff cleaned and treated his ears and removed a large number of ticks. Juggles was found to have a urinary tract infection, likely the result of too little fluid intake, and was placed on antibiotics.
"Juggles Bear is resting well in Hartley House," Appalachian Bear Rescue staff wrote. "He's eating well, taking his meds and sleeping on his bed."
Bears stage a fall eat-a-thon, wildlife agency says
This is not the first time this has happened, and it won’t be the last, Tennessee wildlife officials warned. This time of year, bears are bulking up for winter; by fall, they are foraging up to 20 hours a day in a race against the clock.
During this annual power-eating marathon, bears need to eat 10 times the calories they normally consume – that’s at least 20,000 calories a day. The wildlife agency says just one bird feeder full of black oil sunflower seed or one garbage container overflowing with leftovers can reward a bear with a day’s worth of calories for less than an hour’s work.
This makes attractions like garbage, bird seed and pet food extremely alluring to bears. In this case, an automatic pet food feeder left out for dogs or cats was the culprit that ensnared the bear cub.
Tips for getting BearWise
Residents in bear country can discourage bears from frequenting their property for food with these BearWise tips:
- Secure food, garbage and recycling. Garbage and recyclingshould be stored in a bear-resistant container or inside a bear-resistant building.
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active; this includes sugar water feeders.
- Never leave pet food outside. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove bowls afterwards. Store pet food where bears can’t see or smell it.
- Clean and store grills and smokers.
For more information, visit www.BearWise.org.
Liz Kellar can be reached at [email protected].
veryGood! (33818)
Related
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Maine power outage map: Spring snowstorm leaves over 200,000 homes, businesses without power
- Police say JK Rowling committed no crime with tweets slamming Scotland’s new hate speech law
- Man who used megaphone to lead attack on Capitol police sentenced to more than 7 years in prison
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Body found by hunter in Missouri in 1978 identified as missing Iowa girl
- Jay-Z's Made in America festival canceled for second consecutive year
- 2024 NBA Playoffs: Bracket, standings, latest playoff picture as playoffs near
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Iowa repeals gender parity rule for governing bodies as diversity policies garner growing opposition
Ranking
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Mike Tyson says he's 'scared to death' ahead of fight vs. Jake Paul
- Oklahoma prepares to execute man for 2002 double slaying
- What to know about the latest bird flu outbreak in the US
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- The Best White Sneakers That Go With Everything (And That Are Anything But Basic)
- GOP lawmakers are using the budget to pressure Kansas’ governor on DEI and immigration
- Selling the OC's Dramatic Trailer for Season 3 Teases Explosive Fights, New Alliances and More
Recommendation
'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
Julia Stiles Privately Welcomed Baby No. 3 With Husband Preston Cook
Score 80% off Peter Thomas Roth, Supergoop!, Fenty Beauty, Kiehl's, and More Daily Deals
Disney shareholders back CEO Iger, rebuff activist shareholders who wanted to shake up the company
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
Police say use of racial slur clearly audible as they investigate racist incidents toward Utah team
NYC’s AI chatbot was caught telling businesses to break the law. The city isn’t taking it down
LSU star Angel Reese declares for WNBA draft