Orphaned bear cub rescued from Tennessee river

BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) – An east Tennessee man has been credited with saving the life of a bear cub in Townsend, Tennessee this week.

Danny Allen is a river guide on the Nolichucky River with USA Raft Company and was on the river when a bear cub swam up to his raft.

The cub was attempting to climb aboard the raft when Allen plucked her from the water.

Allen said he had seen the cub on the side of the river for three days and was concerned the cub’s mother might have died.

The owner of USA Raft Company called the Appalachian Bear Rescue.

Veterinarians said the cub was severely dehydrated and lethargic but is recovering.

They said she’s about five months old and they’ve named her Noli Bear, after the river she was saved from.

Noli Bear will eventually be released back into the wild.