When Danny Allen of High Mountain Expeditions paddled down the Nolichucky River in Tennessee, he never expected to pick up this guest on his raft. However, the Knoxville News Sentinel reports that multiple river guides had previously noticed this little cub along the riverbanks and it was clear the animal was motherless, malnourished, and distressed. Therefore, Allen had no problem allowing the American black bear, later named "Noli Bear," onto his raft.

Noli Bear is now being rehabilitated at the Appalachian Bear Rescue, who have plans to release her back into the wild after she's gained sufficient weight and has demonstrated the proper skills to survive in her natural habitat.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency tells the  that folks should avoid interfering with wild bears, instead calling organizations like themselves to deal with the animals. That being said, we tip our caps to the kind folks at High Mountain Expedition for saving Noli Bear's life!