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Wednesday, 21 May 2025 20:21

TWRA rescues and releases three orphaned black bear cubs

A black bear cub is released into the Cumberland Mountains as seen in this video from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Two other cubs were also released after wildlife officers retrieved them from the side of the road after a sow was struck by a vehicle in Sullivan County. TWRA

Wildlife officers rescue bear cubs after mother killed by vehicle

Matthew Cameron is a public information officer with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

BLOUNTVILLE — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) responded May 18 to a report of a sow black bear struck and killed by a vehicle along U.S. Highway 19E in Sullivan County. The response led to the successful rescue and release of three orphaned bear cubs into a remote area of the Cumberland Mountains.

TWRA received the initial call around 7 a.m. and had personnel en route within 30 minutes. By 8:30 a.m., officers were on the scene, but no cubs were immediately visible. Additional staff arrived with trapping equipment, and the deceased female bear was removed from the accident site. Three traps were then set in the area.

At about 11:40 a.m., a local resident provided a video showing three bear cubs on the same side of the road as the traps and the sow. This visual confirmation verified that the animals were indeed cubs and not older yearlings.

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