Tennessee rafting guide saves orphaned bear cub from river

Rafting guide Danny Allen is used to seeing wildlife during his trips down the Nolichucky River in Tennessee, but until recently, they've largely been observed at a distance.

His close encounter came when he rescued an orphaned bear cub who had previously been spotted swimming in the river alone.

Allen says that after he brought the animal into his boat, he noticed that she was, "Very skinny for her size, for the age she is, she should have been twice her size."

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The bear was then handed off to the state wildlife agency which had her examined and found that she was, indeed, weak and dehydrated.

Newly named Noli Bear, in honor of the river she was found near, she is thought to be around five months in age and weighs in at 14.5 pounds.

She has since been regaining her strength under the care of the Appalachian Bear Rescue group which reports that she has become increasingly active within her enclosure.

Their ultimate goal is to release her back into the wild.

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