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TWRA and ABR Reach New Partnership Agreement

By Ronni Chase Jul 21, 2025 | 2:51 PM

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) have reached a new partnership agreement for black bear rehabilitation in Tennessee.

During the course of 2023 and 2024, the presence of pneumonia raised initial concerns about the health of bears being housed at ABR. After a difficult decision in December 2024 to euthanize 13 bears, the Agency temporarily paused the placement of bears at the facility.

On Monday (July 21, 2025), a new agreement was signed and TWRA will resume placing bears at ABR as allowed in the scope of the agreement.