Mother bear killing in Pickens County sparks investigation, community outcry
Cubs orphaned after someone kills mother bear
Tensions are running high in Jasper after authorities there say a mother black bear was shot and killed in the bent tree community, orphaning her two cubs. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is investigating and working to make sure the cubs survive. But right now, the authorities don’t know where they are.
PICKENS COUNTY, Ga. - Tensions are running high in the Bent Tree community after a black bear with two young cubs was shot and killed near a resident’s home last week. The incident, which reportedly occurred Friday morning, has sparked concern and frustration among neighbors and wildlife advocates alike.
In a public safety alert sent to Bent Tree residents, officials confirmed the mother bear's death and said her body, which was found in the general area of Oglethorpe Mountain Road between Oglethorpe Mountain Trail and Oglethorpe Mountain Court, was collected by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for further examination. According to the alert, the DNR advised that the best hope for the orphaned cubs was to give them time to possibly be adopted by another female bear in the area—a natural process considered more effective than human intervention, which often leads to failure.
RAW: Mother bear killed in Pickens County
A mother bear with two cubs was killed late last week in Pickens County. This is believed to be video of that mama bear and her cubs that was taken a few hours before the mother bear was shot and killed by a Bent Tree resident. Video courtesy of Bent Tree resident.
Since the shooting, the cubs have been seen alone in the neighborhood, foraging without their mother. Residents have been asked to report sightings or any updates on the cubs' condition by contacting community officials via email or phone.
The DNR confirmed to FOX 5 Atlanta on Saturday that a black bear had been shot in Pickens County, but declined to provide further details due to an ongoing investigation. A Bent Tree resident shared videos with FOX 5 that show a mother bear and her cubs shortly before the fatal incident. It is believed to be the same bear that was killed.
Bent Tree community leaders have stated they are working with law enforcement to determine whether the shooting violated community regulations or state wildlife protections.
RELATED: Bearly awake and already hungry: Georgia officials issue black bear warning
According to the DNR, black bears are generally non-aggressive, and no fatal bear attacks have ever been recorded in Georgia. Residents are reminded that bears are often drawn to food sources such as bird feeders, outdoor pet food, or unsecured trash, and that these items should be removed to deter unwanted bear encounters. Additionally, electric fences can be installed to deter wandering bears. While relocation is rarely effective, bears that pose a threat to human safety may be euthanized by officials as a last resort.
What they're saying:
Friends of the Bears, a wildlife advocacy group, pointed out that while it is legal to hunt bears during the fall hunting season, Georgia law prohibits the killing of a mother bear accompanied by cubs or of any bear weighing under 75 pounds. Violations of the law can result in misdemeanor charges of a high and aggravated nature, with fines up to $5,000 and up to 12 months of confinement.
Gerald Hodge is founder and CEO of Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears. He travels the state educating people on how to safely interact with black bears. Hodge says his phone started blowing up with calls and messages about the killing of the mother bear in Bent Tree. "I lost count after about 15," he said.
One of the things Hodge teaches people is that loud noises can be very effective in scaring away black bears.
"Wildlife biologists tell us anything 110 decibels or above will cause a bear to relocate from the area unless it’s food conditioned… [you can use] common things around the house, like beating pots and pans together, yelling out of the windows, turning up music really loud… and even your car alarm," Hodge said.
He says whistles and air horns are particularly effective, as well as bear spray. Which is why Hodge says the situation in the Bent Tree community should’ve never happened.
"We don't want anyone to pull out a weapon because oftentimes what happens is they shoot themselves, they shoot somebody else, they do property damage or they shoot the bear they're trying to scare," Hodge said.
Hodge says he received more information from residents about the shooting.
"It is my understanding the weapon that was used was a .22 caliber rifle... this bullet could easily pass through and clip the bear’s femoral artery and cause the bear to bleed to death," he said.
Georgia DNR has not confirmed the specifics of the shooting, but said it was investigating and that the cubs were last spotted on Sunday. Hodge agrees with DNR and says the best-case scenario for the orphaned cubs is for them to get adopted by another female bear.
"It is not uncommon," he said.
But Hodge says that could be tricky in a residential area like Bent Tree.
"If dogs and humans are around and the bear doesn't feel safe, then the bear won't come back into that area," he said.
It may seem counterintuitive for people when they see an orphaned bear cub, but Hodge says the best thing people can do is stay far away from the cubs.
"We have a human problem of people wanting to nurture. They want to rescue… but in reality, it harms that wildlife," he said.
What's next:
On Monday afternoon, DNR told FOX 5 Atlanta they are still investigating the incident and the cubs were last spotted on Sunday. They also said that if the cubs reappear, the Wildlife Resources Division and Law Enforcement Division are investigating the possibility of transporting them to an approved facility.