Big Bear: TWRA says animal roaming near Tusculum tipped scales at 500 pounds

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says a bear tranquilized near Tusculum University and set loose in another location tipped the scales at 500 pounds.

The report said the bear had become habituated after having access to bird feed, trash, and other food sources in that neighborhood for a few years but had ramped up its activity and property damage recently.

The bear is back to a normal habitat after being transported and released to a location in the Cherokee National Forest.

(IMAGE: Courtesy of TWRA)