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Residents urged to call Wildlife if they see bear with trap around neck

SALUDA—A bear spotted earlier this week needs help has it has a plastic pipe around its neck.

Help Asheville Bears is asking for the public’s help that if the bear is seen to contact the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, who is willing to help.

The bear was seen on July 24 between Tanglewood and Trammel Gap. Justin McVey with the NCWRC can be reached at 828-274-7980. People can also call HAB at 855-SOS-BEAR.

Updates on the bear can be found on HAB’s Facebook page.

HAB is also urging people to sign and share a petition to end the cruelty to animals caused by steel jaw traps and snares.

According to HAB, 20 bears have been confirmed to have missing limbs from trap escapes, with 19 of the bears being in the Blue Ridge/Smoky Mountain area.

Of the 20 bears injured, 18 are within a 90-mile radius of Asheville, according to HAB.