MISSION IN-PAW-SIBLE: Bear Cub With Head Trapped In Cheese Ball Jar

Story By:  Ana MarjanovicSub-EditorMichael Leidig, Agency:  Newsflash

A bear cub has been saved by wildlife experts after they spotted it with its head trapped in a cheese ball jar.

The jar, an old fashioned screw-top container, had slipped over the young bear’s head, stopping it from eating or drinking.

Bizarre images of the cub’s rescue show it climbing up a tree in Wears Valley, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA, with the jar jammed on its head like an old fashioned space helmet.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency came to the rescue of a black bear cub in June 2022, who had gotten its head stuck in a plastic food container. (@tnwildlife/Newsflash)

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) – who organised the rescue on 20th June – said the bear was trapped for at least a week.

Experts said the cub had originally been seen with an adult female, probably his mother, but she had disappeared.

Members of Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) and wildlife officials surveyed the area for several days, trying to track the black bear cub’s movements.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency came to the rescue of a black bear cub in June 2022, who had gotten its head stuck in a plastic food container. (@tnwildlife/Newsflash)

Black Bear Support Biologist Janelle Musser and ABR members found the cub halfway up a tree with its head still trapped in the container.

A local business provided Musser with a ladder to prop against the tree and she managed to grip the container with a catch pole.

The cub then pulled its head out of the container and ABR members used a trap to capture it.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency came to the rescue of a black bear cub in June 2022, who had gotten its head stuck in a plastic food container. (@tnwildlife/Newsflash)

As the bear was under 30lbs in weight and unaccompanied by an adult, it was taken back to the group’s facilities for treatment and rehabilitation.

TWRA spokesperson Matthew Cameron said the container was probable used for cheese balls or pretzels.

TWRA also advised residents to keep rubbish secured and to crush down any large plastic containers for recycling.