Posted on 07/21/2011 3:53:50 AM PDT by don-o
A black bear that spent three weeks roaming Cocke County with a large plastic jar stuck over its head has been released in the Cherokee National Forest 85 pounds lighter but otherwise unharmed.
The male bear's predicament was first reported June 28 when an employee of Newport Utilities spotted the bear near the Newport water plant. Wildlife officials believe the bear's head got stuck in the large plastic jar while it was foraging in garbage.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency responded the next day but could not locate the animal. Almost one week later, on July 4, wildlife officers responded to reports that the bear was back in the same area, but again the bear disappeared.
Over the next week and a half there were sporadic reports of a black bear wandering around the foothills of the Smokies with what appeared to be a space helmet on its head. On one occasion a wildlife officer even shot at the bear with a tranquilizer gun, only to see the dart sail over the animal's back.
In the following days 50 calls poured into the Cocke County 911 Center and the TWRA
(Excerpt) Read more at knoxnews.com ...
one for your outdoor ping list.
hrm.. bear in a space helmet.. is nasa planning on exploring the big dipper?
That is one skinny looking bear. Poor thing.
I am just awaiting the jokes about “The Right to Arm Bears.”
my guess was it is a Union bear who did not get the Charmin commercial,,,,,,,
Apparently he is NOT smarter than the average bear. Cute though.
“...so I sent him to ask of the Owl if he’s there
how to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear...”
Kenny Loggins
HEY BOO BOO!!
It was almost more than he could bear.
How did it breathe?
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