Black bear hit and killed while trying to eat pancakes by roadside in tragic photo

The Appalachian Bear Rescue organisation urged people not to throw their unwanted food away while driving as it could attract other curious animals to their death

A bear enticed by some pancakes left by the side of a motorway died after being fatally struck by a car, a tragic photo has shown.

The Appalachian Bear Rescue (ABR) said the black bear had been struck and killed on Highway 321 coming into Townsend, south-west of Knoxville, Tennessee. They said the bear appeared to have been killed on October 1 and was tragically enticed to the roadside by a human sweet treat.

"Not even a foot away from the deceased bear lay a platter of discarded pancakes," the ABR post said. "With full hyperphagia in full swing, the male bear probably saw the pancakes as an easy, high caloric meal.

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"Unfortunately, this meal was the last meal he would ever have. When talking about living responsibly alongside black bears we often highlight the six BearWise Basics that you can follow at home or in a rental, but these also apply to all areas of shared habitat between humans and bears, including roadways.

"Securing your food, garbage, and recycling also means not littering. Discarding your unwanted food and trash in wild places is dangerous for not only bears but all other wildlife as well."

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, black bears are found across North America and grow to between 4.3 to 6.2 feet in length, although the largest can become 6.6 feet and weigh 64 stone - making them noticeably smaller than brown bears. They are omnivores and eat berries, nuts, insects, small mammals, fish and plants. While they are not considered under threat of extinction, they do face challenges as a species such as from habitat loss and trophy hunting.

The ABR said Townsend's police chief accompanied the group's curators Greg, Katrina and Jamie to the bear's remains and that they were able to tell it was male. ABR chiefs then issued a message to people who might throw unwanted food away near the motorway. "We hope to use this message to urge the public to refrain from littering alongside our mountain roadways and hopefully save a future bear’s life in the process," they said.

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