Current:Home > reviewsSurpassing:A curious bear cub got his head stuck in a plastic jug. It took two months to free Juggles. -Visionary Wealth Guides
Surpassing:A curious bear cub got his head stuck in a plastic jug. It took two months to free Juggles.
Fastexy Exchange View
Date:2025-04-06 15:54:46
A bear cub got a little too interested in a pet food feeder and Surpassinggot 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! (48799)
Related
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Journalists’ rights group counts 94 media workers killed worldwide, most at an alarming rate in Gaza
- Jon Rahm is leaving for LIV Golf and what it means for both sides
- AP Week in Pictures: Latin America and Caribbean
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Prince Harry in U.K. High Court battle over downgraded security on visits to Britain
- North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer's son in police chase that ends in deputy's death
- Two GOP presidential debates are set for Iowa and New Hampshire in January before the voting begins
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- CosMc's: McDonald's reveals locations for chain's new spinoff restaurant and menu
Ranking
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- 20 Thoughtful Holiday Gift Ideas For College Students They'll Actually Use
- The labor market stays robust, with employers adding 199,000 jobs last month
- Social Security clawbacks hit a million more people than agency chief told Congress
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- The wheel's many reinventions
- Bronny James expected to make USC debut Sunday against Long Beach State
- The labor market stays robust, with employers adding 199,000 jobs last month
Recommendation
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
AP Week in Pictures: Asia
Key events in Vladimir Putin’s more than two decades in power in Russia
Voting rights groups push for answers from Mississippi election officials about ballot shortages
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Peaky Blinders' Benjamin Zephaniah Dead at 65 After Brain Tumor Battle
Kentucky’s revenues from sports wagering on pace to significantly exceed projections, governor says
US touts new era of collaboration with Native American tribes to manage public lands and water