ERWIN, Tenn. (AP) — A whitewater raft guide on the Nolichucky River in Erwin has saved a dehydrated, underweight bear cub.
WVLT-TV reports Danny Allen rescued the cub in his raft on Thursday and called the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The 5 1/2-month-old female is now at Appalachian Bear Rescue in Townsend.
Dana Dodd is president of the rescue group's board. She says the bear is recovering and will eventually be released into the wild. Although the rescue agency calls her only bear number 207, Facebook fans have named her "Noli'' after the river.
Dodd said she's happy they got the bear, but says it is both dangerous and illegal to pick up wild animals. She says people who see an animal in distress should simply call TWRA.
