ABR And Vets Still Trying To Pinpoint Cause Of Illness In Bears

Veterinarians from the University of Tennessee are continuing to help Applachian Bear Rescue determine what killed one of the bears in their care and has made numerous others sick. Vets from UT have determined that the sickness, at first thought to be pneumonia, is a specific strain of Streptococcus bacteria. A bear named Flapjack died last week after coming down with the infection which causes breathing problems for the bears. Other bears at Applachan Bear Rescue are currently battling symptoms of the illness and are receiving antibiotics. Veterinary doctors with UT have possibly linked the origin of the illness to poultry. They say they are still doing research to pinpoint the exact cause.