Tragic photo shows bear cub that was tormented by group of friends taking ... trends now
A bear cub that was tormented by a group of North Carolina friends who grabbed it to take selfies is now orphaned in an animal refuge.
The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge has blasted the people who pulled the animal out of a tree in Asheville, west NC, for their 'shocking' behavior - while giving an update on the cub's condition.
Six friends were caught capturing the terrified baby bears before taking photos with them and dropping one on the ground beside a fence near Berrington Village Apartments in a viral video on April 16.
Officials said the discarded cub was separated from her mother and siblings during the upsetting interaction, and their employees have spent the last several weeks stabilizing the traumatized animal.
They have now released photographs of the adorable black bear resting its head on towels, and of officials gently handling her while wearing surgical gloves.
The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge has released pictures of the baby bear cub which they have been rehabilitating since it was torn away from its mother by a group of friends in NC
The NC Wildlife Agency also said the cub was 'frightened, wet and shivering' and appeared to have suffered a paw injury when they responded to calls from witnesses on April 16.
But Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Executive Director Savannah Trantham said she has recovered well since the incident - and has even befriended another rescue bear at the refuge.
'Following a time to adjust to being in our care she was introduced to another orphaned cub that arrived previously,' she said.
'Both cubs are thriving and doing well in care. They are eating well and interacting with enrichment, doing all the things we hope to see with young cubs.
'Our team has no reason to believe that they won't be released as wild bears in the fall.'
Trantham added that the video from April 16 sparked 'feelings of frustration, sadness and anger' from the community.
'We hope the act of witnessing these shocking visuals prompts people to reflect on the very real challenges that wildlife face every day,' she said.
'The silver lining is that this cub was rescued by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC).
'It
