- Tennessee, Campbell County, USA -
On Friday morning, May 1, officer Brenden Marlow with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), responded to a call about a dead black bear at the White Oak convenience center on Davis Creek Road.
TWRA wrote in their Facebook post that after examining the male bear, officer Marlow and other officers determined that the poor animal had been shot with a large caliber weapon.
Shell casings were also collected from the scene.
Knox News reports that the following day, TWRA spokesman Matt Cameron said he didn't have further details about the shooting.
Cameron said the convenience center has served as a feeding ground for bears in the past.
In an email that Cameron sent to Knox News, he wrote: “I do know that in the past, the convenience center had up to 13 bears feeding on garbage at one time.”
Cameron also wrote: “That issue has been greatly reduced after an electric fence and new chain link fence was installed, but the bears have regained access after someone pulled the main gate off."
According to Cameron, Campbell County officials are considering purchasing a garbage compactor to help prevent bears from dining on trash at the facility.
*Voice For Us’ note: I feel the urge to say that we must also do our part and be civilized people. Let’s keep all food and trash in areas not accessible to animals.
Do not allow irresponsible behavior to be the cause of death of innocent animals.*
The Pine Mountain Longbeards Chapter of the NWTF-Tennessee announced on Saturday they would offer a $500 reward for information leading to a criminal conviction of the person(s) responsible for killing the bear.
Anyone with information related to this case please come forward and speak up!
Please contact officer Marlow at (615) - 571- 4792. Thank you!
*Voice For Us believes that not reporting animal cruelty is the same as committing it!*
