A wildlife agency in Tennessee has come under fire for euthanizing 13 bear cubs from a rescue center.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) carried out the cull of the cubs after it was discovered that one of the bears had contracted a disease known as gallinaceous streptococcus infection.
In an effort to stop the spread, the agency euthanized many of the puppies that had shared a fence with the sick animal.
The bears – named Patty, Pickles, Mac, Special Sauce, Homer, Diamond, Champ, Sundae, Peeps, Puff, Casper, Shadow and SuBearu Bear were executed on December 10.
But staff at the bear rescue center are heartbroken and baffled by the decision.
They say the puppies did not show any symptoms and none were examined.
They also say the wildlife agency did not consult them about their plans.
‘This is the most shocking news we have ever had to publish. We are heartbroken and we know you are too,’ they said.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) carried out the euthanization of the cubs that had been in the care of Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR), three of which are seen here.
In a statement, the rescue center alleged that the agency did not even conduct any tests before euthanizing the bears.
The agency defended the decision, insisting it was made to prevent further spread of the disease.
The agency said in a statement that the move to euthanize the cubs was to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the wild bear population in the state.
A statement said: “Once an infectious pathogen is introduced and established in a free-ranging wildlife population, it is almost impossible to control and, from a precautionary point of view, it is better to prevent the introduction of the disease than to address it later.” The risk of disease introduction is low.’
Since the rescue center shared news of the deaths, they have been inundated with comments who found the news distressing.
One person said: ‘That’s devastating. I can’t say more for fear of causing more harm than good with what I have to say.
‘I am so sorry to everyone at ABR. This must be horrible for all of you who have cared for these puppies and brought those who were sick back to health.
“I’m really too heartbroken to say anything else.”
Another added: ‘This is devastating news! Shame on the TWRA for not including you in the conversations.
“My heart goes out to all of you, knowing how heartbroken you and so many of us are over such a horrendous decision by the TWRA.”
Another posted: ‘This is horrible. I can’t understand how they could euthanize those bears without testing them for bacteria.
“While I understand they want to protect the wild population, I feel like it was an instinctive decision.”
Agency officials said they consulted with the University of Tennessee’s schools of agriculture and veterinary medicine, but not the actual rescue facilities.
The agency said in a statement that the move to euthanize the cubs was to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the wild bear population in the state.
The Tennessee wildlife agency responsible for the cull insists the center was consulted.
In a press conference, its employees regretted the drastic measure, but defended it as necessary.
“We wish we could come to you with better news, but unfortunately today we are discussing one of the biggest challenges in wildlife management, which is managing at the population level rather than the individual level,” said Jason Maxedon, executive director of TWRA. . .
He added: ‘I was very frustrated to see them claim they were not included in this conversation. The ABR CEO was invited more than once to meet with veterinarians and ask them questions.
‘I was offered a second meeting when I spoke to her personally and the chairman of the ABR board also refused to speak to me about this issue.
“We did everything we could to keep them involved, but because they didn’t agree with the decision, they didn’t want to talk to us about it.”