The injured bear cub 'Puff' rescued near route 129 'Queue du Dragon'

Blown Bear (Appalachian Bear Rescue)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A four-month-old bear cub found alone, walking in circles near Highway 129, is expected to head to Appalachian Bear Rescue after a stay at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM).

The bear rescue team shared the news of the cub's rescue after he was found by a wildlife biologist at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The biologist responded to a report near Highway 129, known as “Dragon's Tail,” of a bear cub that had been hanging around the ranger station for a few days.

The four-month-old, who weighs just over six pounds, was examined and found that his skull was not symmetrical. After ruling out hydrocephalus, a condition a bear cannot survive according to the ABR, the cub was found to have skull fractures, a fracture at the jaw joint and a bulla gas in the brain.

ABR said the injuries could have been caused by a collision with a car or motorcycle.

Paramedics said Puff's prognosis was guarded, but she would spend the night in intensive care with IV antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory to prevent brain swelling. Puff also had a few teeth pulled, but ABR said his adult teeth would have to grow in to replace those teeth.

In addition to Puff, ABR has eight other cubs in her care.