Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) is a black bear rescue facility located just outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee. ABR is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that has been returning black bears back to the wild since 1996. Each year black bears from our national parks and surrounding areas are orphaned, injured, or in need of medical care. Thanks to Appalachian Bear Rescue, these bears are given a second chance at life in the wild.
ABR Daily Update #2-December 23, 2024 Orbiting Cubs 🐻🐻🐻
Weather: 52F (11C) Humidity 47%, Sunny 🌞
🚨Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is CLOSED for the holidays. We’ll reopen on January 2, 2025.🚨
We thought Ms. Prescott’s video, which we posted this morning, was great! If you haven’t seen it yet, please be sure to check it out.
Our bear cubs are active sleepers. Every evening, Rags, Scruffy, and Phoenix orbit the interior of their cubby pool, assuming some very strange positions as they snooze. Rags and Phoenix, the smaller cubs, look like they might be squished by the enormity of Scruffy, but they don’t tolerate his bulk for long; he shifts when they poke him. The curators are happy with how well the cubs are doing and are particularly impressed with Phoenix. He’s the smallest of the three, but there’s a lot of pep in that little package!
Thank you for everything you do, our prayers have and will be with you all. ❤️ I hope all of the humans at ABR have a wonderful and blessed Christmas. 🐻
Thank you for the positive update. The three cubbies in your care are extra special now! ABR thank you for all you do!💜🐻
On a side note..I emailed the " director" of TWRA expressing my outrage at their actions regarding our "spirit" bears. Shame on them!!!😡
I love it that they all sleep so close together!! Have they evicted NAPB?
Here’s a note from our dear friend, Valerie Prescott, and a wonderful video from her Grade 5 students at Barkstall Elementary School. ❤️🐻🐻🐻
Dear ABR Family,
Happy Holidays from Ms. Prescott's class in Illinois! We hope you enjoy the holiday commercial we produced for ABR. We have collected 17 gallons of can tabs and $250.00 in cash donations, so far this school year! We would like to give a big shout out to all of our ABR and Barkstall Elementary School family and friends who have sent us can tabs and money! We are beyond grateful and hope to reach our goal of $800.00 this school year, for our classroom service project, Appalachian Bear Rescue! We are committed to saving black bear cubs! ❤️🐻
Have a BEARY Happy Holiday!🎄
In gratitude, Ms. Prescott's 5th Grade Class Barkstall Elementary School 2201 Hallbeck Dr. Champaign, IL 61822 ... See MoreSee Less
Several years ago I had the honor of visiting Ms Prescott’s school. All of the common areas were decorated with fabulous hand drawn posters by the students and telling the bears’ story.
What Ms. Prescott does each year to educate her students is amazing. I love seeing their projects 😍🥰🎄.
Wonderful job Ms. Prescott and your amazing class. Thank you ❤🐻❤
ABR Daily Update#2-December 22, 2024-Cubby Birthday 🐻🐻🐻🎂
Weather: 41F (5C) Humidity 45%, Sunny 🌞
We hope you enjoyed watching our final release video we posted earlier today; Bubbles, Mojo, and Fuzzy return to the wild. They wouldn’t have had a second chance without your help. Thank you. ❤️
Today is Cubby Birthday. We mark this occasion by sharing photos from our good friend Ms. Valerie Prescott and her students from Barkstall Elementary School in Champaign, IL. Every year, her students collect aluminum can tabs which they sell to a recycler, then donate the funds to ABR. Tomorrow, we’ll post the excellent holiday commercial the students made to support Appalachian Bear Rescue and our bears.😊
ABR chose January 22 as the “official” birth date for all our bears, as it falls roughly midway in the range of possible birth dates. We celebrate it every month because each one marks a milestone on a bear’s journey back to the wild. This month, while we remember the cubs who didn’t get to see it, we owe it to the three cubs still with us to celebrate their turning eleven months old. Happy Birthday, Rags, Scruffy, and Phoenix. Happy Birthday to all our bears, past and present. For the bears we’ve lost, we wish you peace. ❤️🌹
🚨Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is CLOSED for the holidays. We will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Please click on the link for location information: 🚨 appalachianbearrescue.org/contact-us/
🛑bearwise.org offers excellent information on what black bears are up to at this time of year and what to do if you hike or live in “Bear Country”.
*We post one update daily, seven days a week ... See MoreSee Less
I am crying again. I will concentrate on the bears that could be released and the three darlings still at ABR. Merry Christmas and thank you. I pray that God will heal all our hearts that were shattered by the loss of 13 precious cubs. Thank you, Ms. Prescott and students for your kind hearts.
Crying here😭🐻 reading for the cubs that aren't here to turn 11 months we wish you peace, maybe because I'm older losing those precious cubs has been very hard on me, after watching each of them and loving each of them and the way they left this world just wasn't fair...Happy 11 month Birthday Scruffy, Rags and Phoenix 🐻🎁🍎🥜🍇🐻🎁🍎🥜🍇🐻🎁🍎🥜🍇
Tears again..tears of happiness for Bubbles, Mojo and Fuzzy. Thank goodness they were released back into the wild as it should be. They look wonderful!! ABR thank you! I will cherish all the release videos that you have shared during this very sad time. May their spirits of the 13 guide and protect the bears that have been released 💜🐻💔
I can’t imagine there are more beautiful, healthy 2024 cubs anywhere. Every single one just as gorgeous as the next.
Everyone here, curators, volunteers, Dana, Greg, the vets at UTCVM, and my fellow donors are HEROES.
Love and peace to all, and prayers that we are sitting here a year from now watching the miracles repeat.
Run wild and free, Bubbles, Mojo, and Fuzzy! So Thankful you three got to go back home where you belong! Like I've said before, these bittersweet returns are now hallelujahs this week! Thank you Appalachian Bear Rescue for all you do for these babies. You are appreciated very much!❤🐻
ABR Daily Update #2-December 21, 2024- Winter Solstice ✨
Weather: 41F (5C) Humidity 65%, Mostly cloudy 🌥️
We hope you enjoyed watching the video we posted this morning, celebrating Daisy Mae and Duke’s return to the wild in Kentucky. Siblings are always released together, and cubs from the same area are also released together, regardless of whether they are related. As much as we wish for the cubs not to be alone, black bears lead mostly solitary lives. Our GPS collar study of post-release bears conducted in 2015-2016 showed that none of them stayed together for more than a few hours, regardless of kinship or friendship. It’s “the bear way”.🐻
Scruffy, Rags, and Phoenix, our three remaining cubs, are doing well. Bears are individuals, each with their own quirks: Scruffy, as we can all see, is all about food and how to get it. Phoenix is a brave lad; he's the same age as Scruffy and Rags but is thinner and smaller. He stands his ground, refuses to be bullied, and loves to eat too. Rags is different and always has been. He’s as chubby as he can be, but he’s not a large bear and not a bold one either. He’s very close to his brother, Scruffy, and is friendly with Phoenix.🐻🐻🐻
The cubs are sleeping significantly more than they did just a couple of weeks ago. Today marks the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. Bears in our area are either in dens or searching for one. Yet tomorrow, although it may be imperceptible, the days will begin to lengthen, and light will return. Spring, though it seems far off, is on its way, bringing with it a new generation of bear cubs. 🐻🌞
❤️Please consider donating to Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Bear Necessities Fund.�https://bit.ly/3Zhmi48
Thank you for all you do and again so sorry for the heartbreaking situation.
Love our bears!! Hope these babies are not taken by TWRA. Im still crying over the 13 they killed . I have lost ALL RESPECT FOR TWRA head man in news conference!
I am so pleased to see that Phoenix’s face is getting fur regrowth! Very happy these three cubs have been able to embrace their differences and still cohabitate pleasantly together! They’re celebrating “Peace on Earth & Goodwill Among Bears”
I will admit selfishly I was always just the tiniest bit sad to see the bears released because I would never see them again - as well as wonder what happened to them and if they were ok. I guess mothering knows no bounds. After this week, I will take IMMENSE joy in all that make the journey free back into the mountains.
Thank you curators! I feel like this may be a difficult holiday for all of you. I am so angry and frustrated on your behalf that I can not imagine how you are feeling. Peace be with you all.
I am in tears watching this video. Tears of happiness for Daisy Mae and Duke that they got to be released into the wild as it should be and tears because our 13 other beautiful bears did not.
May their spirits guide the fortunate bears that got released before the horrible event this past week!
Live long, healthy and happy lives! ABR, I continue with prayers for you all, our bears and all the followers who are mourning the loss of our cubbies.🙏💜🐻
We hope you saw Jackie Paper’s release video that we posted early this morning. We don’t want his story to be lost in the tragedy and turmoil of the last few days. There are no words to express how grateful we are for your support; we know you’re hurting too.❤️
Rags, Scruffy, and Phoenix Bear are still with us, residing in Hartley House. The curators think Phoenix’s snoot is healing well; we can see fur growing on it via our security cams. His relationship with Scruffy and Rags has jelled into one of mutual tolerance, with bouts of genuine affection. Phoenix has a larger frame than Rags, and though Rags is a chubby sausage, it’s likely Phoenix will one day be larger and certainly taller. Scruffy is just a big cub: there’s not much room left in his coat to put on more weight, yet he still eats. As it stands, the cubs will be with us until they ready for release, probably in January.
Thank you so much for all do for the bears I'm so sorry about the 13 it must be devastating to the people that care for the cubs 🙏❤️
We are devastated. As you are. Also, we are MAD. And not at you. We know how hard you work to save these babies. I don’t know that any of us will ever get over this. 😭😭😭
ABR Daily Update - December 20th 2024 - The Rest of Enclosure #2
Thank you for the immense support you have shown us. Many have asked about the cubs in enclosure #2 that we have not shared release videos for. While this has been difficult to navigate, we still feel that it's important you get to see their stories through. You made it possible for them. ❤ Please find Jackie P.'s release below. ... See MoreSee Less
2K views in twenty minutes. Let this be a reminder that Appalachian Bear Rescue is loved and highly respected. Your mission is pure and we stand with you and with the cubs that are NATIVE to this land. God bless your mission and your wounded hearts.
Wild & Free the way you were born to be.
Jackie P bear is one of my adopted bears.
I am so grateful to ABR for nursing these cubs back to health & giving them a second chance to live their lives back in the wild. 🖤
My heart breaks for you 💔
I can't stop thinking about those 13 beautiful black bears.
I have posted my outrage to TWRA.
Next is to contact the Mayor of Townsend & Governor of TN.
Maybe it will all fall on deaf ears but I am compelled to do this.
This is the story that 13 other little bears were denied… run Jackie P run!!
Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Response to TWRA Press Conference
ABR was not included in the TWRA decision process to euthanize 13 bears at the ABR facility. On December 16th, we were presented with an opportunity to speak with TWRA's Director and the TWRA veterinarian about a decision that was already made. The veterinarian would provide an overview of the disease concerns, and the director would share his agreement with the decision. We were never given a formal written decision or plan.
Since ABR was informed of TWRA's decision to begin removing bears on December 18, ABR's Executive Director, Dana Dodd has spoken with TWRA Director Maxedon. On December 18, Knoxville Attorney Jack Burgin, ABR's Board Chair, spoke with Knoxville Attorney Ford Little, a member of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. As an attorney, ABR’s Board Chair was ethically prohibited from communicating directly with TWRA Director Maxedon without TWRA counsel’s permission and so informed Mr. Little. ABR’s board chair never received permission from TWRA counsel. Ms. Dodd and Mr. Burgin also offered to set up meetings between our teams after the first of the year. We look forward to TWRA accepting ABR’s offer.
In response to TWRA’s comments regarding overwintering bears at ABR, ABR agrees that bears should be held in captivity for the shortest amount of time possible. We release bears back to the wild when they are capable of surviving on their own. ABR has successfully overwintered bears without creating bears that cause conflict after release.
ABR is fortunate to be located about 30 minutes from The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. As our agency partners are aware, we have had a strong partnership with UTCVM for many years and have worked with them to publish research that benefits black bear population health literature. The talented team at UTCVM presides over the care of every bear that comes to ABR and has for many years. Their recommendations pertaining to the treatment of our cubs for a variety of conditions have always been trusted and accepted by ABR and TWRA. On the evening of November 21, ABR immediately took the sick bear to UTCVM for care. On the morning of November 22, ABR continued to work with the veterinarians on a treatment plan for the bears and contacted TWRA in the afternoon to inform them of the situation. On November 26, ABR received test results from UTCVM, promptly documented the results, and passed along the update to TWRA and other concerned agencies.
Prior to the TWRA press conference today, we were told that we could still accept bears into unaffected enclosures. We told TWRA biologists that we would not take additional bears into the ABR facility until we fully understand the risks we must address. In 2023, ABR sought advice about removing traces of any contamination from the enclosures. We not only followed the advice, but we also took additional measures. ABR will work with skilled professionals to decontaminate the affected enclosures and prepare our facility for future bears. We will do all the science and spend whatever amount of money is necessary to be sure our facility is safe.
ABR is committed to finding a path forward. The mission of Appalachian Bear Rescue is important to TWRA, to all who support our organizations, and to the bears we serve. ABR was founded in 1996 to offer an alternative to euthanizing injured and orphaned cubs and yearlings. The majority of the bears that come to ABR are orphaned or injured as a result of human-bear conflict. We look forward to forging a new relationship with TWRA, one that values partnership and the pursuit of knowledge for the benefit of our black bears. ... See MoreSee Less
The TWRA needs to rethink their half of the partnership. Their decision was sneaky and underhanded. They will be watched more closely by the American people I believe.
*** Magnificently written rebuttal to the poorly thought out actions taken by TWRA. ABR bases its actions on partnership input and cooperation, with science facts interpreted by subject matter experts. *** ABR's excellent response should help to set more detailed parameters with TWRA, so that this tragedy never happens again. *** Well Done, ABR!!
It sounds like TWRA needs a new director, one who makes sense and has a heart. I'm sorry but not sorry. That decision should have been made between the UTCVM, TWRA AND ABR! The BEST decision was not the RIGHT decision. There is no reason to euthanize healthy young bears. The next thing you'll hear is bear hunting season for monetary benefits. Yes, I'm still upset and angry over this because it makes no sense. It's political, I guarantee it!!!!
DONATE TODAY!!
ABR Daily Update #2-December 23, 2024 Orbiting Cubs 🐻🐻🐻
Weather: 52F (11C) Humidity 47%, Sunny 🌞
🚨Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is CLOSED for the holidays. We’ll reopen on January 2, 2025.🚨
We thought Ms. Prescott’s video, which we posted this morning, was great! If you haven’t seen it yet, please be sure to check it out.
Our bear cubs are active sleepers. Every evening, Rags, Scruffy, and Phoenix orbit the interior of their cubby pool, assuming some very strange positions as they snooze. Rags and Phoenix, the smaller cubs, look like they might be squished by the enormity of Scruffy, but they don’t tolerate his bulk for long; he shifts when they poke him. The curators are happy with how well the cubs are doing and are particularly impressed with Phoenix. He’s the smallest of the three, but there’s a lot of pep in that little package!
❤️Please consider donating to Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Bear Necessities Fund.
bit.ly/3Zhmi48
🛑bearwise.org offers excellent information on what black bears are up to at this time of year and what to do if you hike or live in “Bear Country”.
*We post one daily, seven days a week ... See MoreSee Less
42 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for everything you do, our prayers have and will be with you all. ❤️ I hope all of the humans at ABR have a wonderful and blessed Christmas. 🐻
Thank you for the positive update. The three cubbies in your care are extra special now! ABR thank you for all you do!💜🐻 On a side note..I emailed the " director" of TWRA expressing my outrage at their actions regarding our "spirit" bears. Shame on them!!!😡
I love it that they all sleep so close together!! Have they evicted NAPB?
View more comments
ABR Update-December 23, 2024
Here’s a note from our dear friend, Valerie Prescott, and a wonderful video from her Grade 5 students at Barkstall Elementary School. ❤️🐻🐻🐻
Dear ABR Family,
Happy Holidays from Ms. Prescott's class in Illinois! We hope you enjoy the holiday commercial we produced for ABR. We have collected 17 gallons of can tabs and $250.00 in cash donations, so far this school year! We would like to give a big shout out to all of our ABR and Barkstall Elementary School family and friends who have sent us can tabs and money! We are beyond grateful and hope to reach our goal of $800.00 this school year, for our classroom service project, Appalachian Bear Rescue! We are committed to saving black bear cubs! ❤️🐻
Have a BEARY Happy Holiday!🎄
In gratitude,
Ms. Prescott's 5th Grade Class
Barkstall Elementary School
2201 Hallbeck Dr.
Champaign, IL
61822 ... See MoreSee Less
83 CommentsComment on Facebook
Several years ago I had the honor of visiting Ms Prescott’s school. All of the common areas were decorated with fabulous hand drawn posters by the students and telling the bears’ story.
What Ms. Prescott does each year to educate her students is amazing. I love seeing their projects 😍🥰🎄.
Wonderful job Ms. Prescott and your amazing class. Thank you ❤🐻❤
View more comments
ABR Daily Update#2-December 22, 2024-Cubby Birthday 🐻🐻🐻🎂
Weather: 41F (5C) Humidity 45%, Sunny 🌞
We hope you enjoyed watching our final release video we posted earlier today; Bubbles, Mojo, and Fuzzy return to the wild. They wouldn’t have had a second chance without your help. Thank you. ❤️
Today is Cubby Birthday. We mark this occasion by sharing photos from our good friend Ms. Valerie Prescott and her students from Barkstall Elementary School in Champaign, IL. Every year, her students collect aluminum can tabs which they sell to a recycler, then donate the funds to ABR. Tomorrow, we’ll post the excellent holiday commercial the students made to support Appalachian Bear Rescue and our bears.😊
ABR chose January 22 as the “official” birth date for all our bears, as it falls roughly midway in the range of possible birth dates. We celebrate it every month because each one marks a milestone on a bear’s journey back to the wild. This month, while we remember the cubs who didn’t get to see it, we owe it to the three cubs still with us to celebrate their turning eleven months old. Happy Birthday, Rags, Scruffy, and Phoenix. Happy Birthday to all our bears, past and present. For the bears we’ve lost, we wish you peace. ❤️🌹
❤️Please consider donating to Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Bear Necessities Fund.
bit.ly/3Zhmi48
🚨Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is CLOSED for the holidays. We will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025. Please click on the link for location information: 🚨
appalachianbearrescue.org/contact-us/
🛑bearwise.org offers excellent information on what black bears are up to at this time of year and what to do if you hike or live in “Bear Country”.
*We post one update daily, seven days a week ... See MoreSee Less
60 CommentsComment on Facebook
I am crying again. I will concentrate on the bears that could be released and the three darlings still at ABR. Merry Christmas and thank you. I pray that God will heal all our hearts that were shattered by the loss of 13 precious cubs. Thank you, Ms. Prescott and students for your kind hearts.
Crying here😭🐻 reading for the cubs that aren't here to turn 11 months we wish you peace, maybe because I'm older losing those precious cubs has been very hard on me, after watching each of them and loving each of them and the way they left this world just wasn't fair...Happy 11 month Birthday Scruffy, Rags and Phoenix 🐻🎁🍎🥜🍇🐻🎁🍎🥜🍇🐻🎁🍎🥜🍇
Happy birthday, cubbies!! ❤️
View more comments
ABR Daily Update - December 22nd 2024 - Bubbles, Fuzzy & Mojo Bear Return to the Wild 🐻🐻🐻 ... See MoreSee Less
147 CommentsComment on Facebook
Tears again..tears of happiness for Bubbles, Mojo and Fuzzy. Thank goodness they were released back into the wild as it should be. They look wonderful!! ABR thank you! I will cherish all the release videos that you have shared during this very sad time. May their spirits of the 13 guide and protect the bears that have been released 💜🐻💔
I can’t imagine there are more beautiful, healthy 2024 cubs anywhere. Every single one just as gorgeous as the next. Everyone here, curators, volunteers, Dana, Greg, the vets at UTCVM, and my fellow donors are HEROES. Love and peace to all, and prayers that we are sitting here a year from now watching the miracles repeat.
Run wild and free, Bubbles, Mojo, and Fuzzy! So Thankful you three got to go back home where you belong! Like I've said before, these bittersweet returns are now hallelujahs this week! Thank you Appalachian Bear Rescue for all you do for these babies. You are appreciated very much!❤🐻
View more comments
ABR Daily Update #2-December 21, 2024- Winter Solstice ✨
Weather: 41F (5C) Humidity 65%, Mostly cloudy 🌥️
We hope you enjoyed watching the video we posted this morning, celebrating Daisy Mae and Duke’s return to the wild in Kentucky. Siblings are always released together, and cubs from the same area are also released together, regardless of whether they are related. As much as we wish for the cubs not to be alone, black bears lead mostly solitary lives. Our GPS collar study of post-release bears conducted in 2015-2016 showed that none of them stayed together for more than a few hours, regardless of kinship or friendship. It’s “the bear way”.🐻
Scruffy, Rags, and Phoenix, our three remaining cubs, are doing well. Bears are individuals, each with their own quirks: Scruffy, as we can all see, is all about food and how to get it. Phoenix is a brave lad; he's the same age as Scruffy and Rags but is thinner and smaller. He stands his ground, refuses to be bullied, and loves to eat too. Rags is different and always has been. He’s as chubby as he can be, but he’s not a large bear and not a bold one either. He’s very close to his brother, Scruffy, and is friendly with Phoenix.🐻🐻🐻
The cubs are sleeping significantly more than they did just a couple of weeks ago. Today marks the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. Bears in our area are either in dens or searching for one. Yet tomorrow, although it may be imperceptible, the days will begin to lengthen, and light will return. Spring, though it seems far off, is on its way, bringing with it a new generation of bear cubs. 🐻🌞
❤️Please consider donating to Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Bear Necessities Fund.�https://bit.ly/3Zhmi48
🎉Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is open! Please click on the link for more information:
appalachianbearrescue.org/contact-us/
🛑bearwise.org offers excellent information on what black bears are up to at this time of year and what to do if you hike or live in “Bear Country”.
*We post one update daily, seven days a week ... See MoreSee Less
68 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you for all you do and again so sorry for the heartbreaking situation.
Love our bears!! Hope these babies are not taken by TWRA. Im still crying over the 13 they killed . I have lost ALL RESPECT FOR TWRA head man in news conference!
I am so pleased to see that Phoenix’s face is getting fur regrowth! Very happy these three cubs have been able to embrace their differences and still cohabitate pleasantly together! They’re celebrating “Peace on Earth & Goodwill Among Bears”
View more comments
ABR Daily Update - December 21st 2024 - Daisy Mae & Duke Bear's Release Video 🐻🐻 ... See MoreSee Less
178 CommentsComment on Facebook
I will admit selfishly I was always just the tiniest bit sad to see the bears released because I would never see them again - as well as wonder what happened to them and if they were ok. I guess mothering knows no bounds. After this week, I will take IMMENSE joy in all that make the journey free back into the mountains.
Thank you curators! I feel like this may be a difficult holiday for all of you. I am so angry and frustrated on your behalf that I can not imagine how you are feeling. Peace be with you all.
I am in tears watching this video. Tears of happiness for Daisy Mae and Duke that they got to be released into the wild as it should be and tears because our 13 other beautiful bears did not. May their spirits guide the fortunate bears that got released before the horrible event this past week! Live long, healthy and happy lives! ABR, I continue with prayers for you all, our bears and all the followers who are mourning the loss of our cubbies.🙏💜🐻
View more comments
ABR Update #2-December 20, 2024 Rags, Scruffy, and Phoenix 🐻🐻🐻
Weather: 41F (5C) Humidity 70%, Light snow showers 🌨️
We hope you saw Jackie Paper’s release video that we posted early this morning. We don’t want his story to be lost in the tragedy and turmoil of the last few days. There are no words to express how grateful we are for your support; we know you’re hurting too.❤️
Rags, Scruffy, and Phoenix Bear are still with us, residing in Hartley House. The curators think Phoenix’s snoot is healing well; we can see fur growing on it via our security cams. His relationship with Scruffy and Rags has jelled into one of mutual tolerance, with bouts of genuine affection. Phoenix has a larger frame than Rags, and though Rags is a chubby sausage, it’s likely Phoenix will one day be larger and certainly taller. Scruffy is just a big cub: there’s not much room left in his coat to put on more weight, yet he still eats. As it stands, the cubs will be with us until they ready for release, probably in January.
❤️Please consider donating to Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Bear Necessities Fund.
bit.ly/3Zhmi48
🎉Our Visitor & Education Center at Trillium Cove is open! Please click on the link for more information:
appalachianbearrescue.org/contact-us/
🛑bearwise.org offers excellent information on what black bears are up to at this time of year and what to do if you hike or live in “Bear Country”.
*We post one update daily, seven days a week ... See MoreSee Less
137 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you so much for all do for the bears I'm so sorry about the 13 it must be devastating to the people that care for the cubs 🙏❤️
We are devastated. As you are. Also, we are MAD. And not at you. We know how hard you work to save these babies. I don’t know that any of us will ever get over this. 😭😭😭
Awwwww, so precious! 💕
View more comments
ABR Daily Update - December 20th 2024 - The Rest of Enclosure #2
Thank you for the immense support you have shown us. Many have asked about the cubs in enclosure #2 that we have not shared release videos for. While this has been difficult to navigate, we still feel that it's important you get to see their stories through. You made it possible for them. ❤ Please find Jackie P.'s release below. ... See MoreSee Less
221 CommentsComment on Facebook
2K views in twenty minutes. Let this be a reminder that Appalachian Bear Rescue is loved and highly respected. Your mission is pure and we stand with you and with the cubs that are NATIVE to this land. God bless your mission and your wounded hearts.
Wild & Free the way you were born to be. Jackie P bear is one of my adopted bears. I am so grateful to ABR for nursing these cubs back to health & giving them a second chance to live their lives back in the wild. 🖤 My heart breaks for you 💔 I can't stop thinking about those 13 beautiful black bears. I have posted my outrage to TWRA. Next is to contact the Mayor of Townsend & Governor of TN. Maybe it will all fall on deaf ears but I am compelled to do this.
This is the story that 13 other little bears were denied… run Jackie P run!!
View more comments
ABR Update-December 19, 2024
Appalachian Bear Rescue’s Response to TWRA Press Conference
ABR was not included in the TWRA decision process to euthanize 13 bears at the ABR facility. On December 16th, we were presented with an opportunity to speak with TWRA's Director and the TWRA veterinarian about a decision that was already made. The veterinarian would provide an overview of the disease concerns, and the director would share his agreement with the decision. We were never given a formal written decision or plan.
Since ABR was informed of TWRA's decision to begin removing bears on December 18, ABR's Executive Director, Dana Dodd has spoken with TWRA Director Maxedon. On December 18, Knoxville Attorney Jack Burgin, ABR's Board Chair, spoke with Knoxville Attorney Ford Little, a member of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. As an attorney, ABR’s Board Chair was ethically prohibited from communicating directly with TWRA Director Maxedon without TWRA counsel’s permission and so informed Mr. Little. ABR’s board chair never received permission from TWRA counsel. Ms. Dodd and Mr. Burgin also offered to set up meetings between our teams after the first of the year. We look forward to TWRA accepting ABR’s offer.
In response to TWRA’s comments regarding overwintering bears at ABR, ABR agrees that bears should be held in captivity for the shortest amount of time possible. We release bears back to the wild when they are capable of surviving on their own. ABR has successfully overwintered bears without creating bears that cause conflict after release.
ABR is fortunate to be located about 30 minutes from The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. As our agency partners are aware, we have had a strong partnership with UTCVM for many years and have worked with them to publish research that benefits black bear population health literature. The talented team at UTCVM presides over the care of every bear that comes to ABR and has for many years. Their recommendations pertaining to the treatment of our cubs for a variety of conditions have always been trusted and accepted by ABR and TWRA. On the evening of November 21, ABR immediately took the sick bear to UTCVM for care. On the morning of November 22, ABR continued to work with the veterinarians on a treatment plan for the bears and contacted TWRA in the afternoon to inform them of the situation. On November 26, ABR received test results from UTCVM, promptly documented the results, and passed along the update to TWRA and other concerned agencies.
Prior to the TWRA press conference today, we were told that we could still accept bears into unaffected enclosures. We told TWRA biologists that we would not take additional bears into the ABR facility until we fully understand the risks we must address. In 2023, ABR sought advice about removing traces of any contamination from the enclosures. We not only followed the advice, but we also took additional measures. ABR will work with skilled professionals to decontaminate the affected enclosures and prepare our facility for future bears. We will do all the science and spend whatever amount of money is necessary to be sure our facility is safe.
ABR is committed to finding a path forward. The mission of Appalachian Bear Rescue is important to TWRA, to all who support our organizations, and to the bears we serve. ABR was founded in 1996 to offer an alternative to euthanizing injured and orphaned cubs and yearlings. The majority of the bears that come to ABR are orphaned or injured as a result of human-bear conflict. We look forward to forging a new relationship with TWRA, one that values partnership and the pursuit of knowledge for the benefit of our black bears. ... See MoreSee Less
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The TWRA needs to rethink their half of the partnership. Their decision was sneaky and underhanded. They will be watched more closely by the American people I believe.
*** Magnificently written rebuttal to the poorly thought out actions taken by TWRA. ABR bases its actions on partnership input and cooperation, with science facts interpreted by subject matter experts. *** ABR's excellent response should help to set more detailed parameters with TWRA, so that this tragedy never happens again. *** Well Done, ABR!!
It sounds like TWRA needs a new director, one who makes sense and has a heart. I'm sorry but not sorry. That decision should have been made between the UTCVM, TWRA AND ABR! The BEST decision was not the RIGHT decision. There is no reason to euthanize healthy young bears. The next thing you'll hear is bear hunting season for monetary benefits. Yes, I'm still upset and angry over this because it makes no sense. It's political, I guarantee it!!!!
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