Wild Bear Cub Pulled from Tree for Selfies Is 'Doing Well' in N.C. Animal Refuge's Care

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission rescued the cub, who is currently living with an orphaned baby bear at the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

A baby bear pulled from a tree by a group of people taking selfies in North Carolina was later rescued by an animal refuge—and now the cub has a friend.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission rescued the female cub and placed her with the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge (AWR) on April 16, the same day as the selfie incident. On April 30, the refuge shared in a press release obtained by PEOPLE that the little animal is "doing well." AWR expects the baby bear to be ready to return to the wild this fall.

The female bear is living with an orphaned male cub at the refuge. The bears have a small team dedicated to preparing for life in the wild.

"Both cubs are thriving and doing well in care. They are eating well and interacting with enrichment, doing all the things we hope to see with young cubs," the refuge's executive director, Savannah Trantham, said in the release. "Our team has no reason to believe that they won't make full rehabilitation care to be released as wild bears in the fall."

Related: North Carolina Group Caught on Camera Pulling Black Bear Cubs from Tree to Get Selfie

Earlier this month, the female cub was one of two baby bears pulled from a tree outside a North Carolina apartment complex by a group of people taking selfies. By the time authorities arrived, only one of the cubs was still there. The commission decided not to press charges against those who removed the bears from the tree.

Since then, the young black bear has been in the refuge's care. Trantham acknowledged that the original video of the bears being pulled out of the tree by the selfie-seeking humans "understandably brought up feelings of frustration, sadness, and anger for many viewers."

"We hope the act of witnessing these shocking visuals prompts people to reflect on the very real challenges that wildlife face every day,” Trantham said. “The silver lining is that this cub was rescued by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). It is now safe and being well cared for despite being separated from its mom."

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The refuge noted that it is sadly all too common for wildlife to be mistreated by members of the public, adding, "If all of the turtles, snakes, rabbits, opossums, squirrels, birds, raccoons and fawns got the same reaction when people harass, steal and harm them, then we would be winning."

The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge advised people to be mindful that it's not uncommon for wild mothers to leave their young alone for periods during the spring and summer as they forage for food.

"It's not unusual or necessarily concerning for baby animals to be away from their mothers during the spring and summer," Trantham added. "Please leave them where you find them and call our hotline or other professionals with questions and guidance for the next steps."

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