Bear Rescued in Charleston from Chained Tree

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP)– A bear that has been chained to a tree in the back yard of a home in the Lowcountry has found a new home at Charles Towne Landing. The Post and Courier of Charleston reported (http://bit.ly/RGBn7i) that the 450-pound black bear Memphis now has a 2-acre compound to roam at the park. The nonprofit Animal Rescue & Relief Inc. was able to get the bear moved to the park. Director Michelle Reid says South Carolina needs a law banning ownership of exotic animals. Reid says often the animals are being kept without proper habitats or living conditions. Memphis is one of two black bears at the park. The other bear was also a rescue case. Memphis has been held in captivity too long to be released to the wild.