Cornell University found itself at the center of a bizarre controversy after two students reportedly brought a 120-pound black bear into their dorm and began processing it in a communal kitchen.
The incident, which occurred last week at Ganędagǫ: Hall on North Campus, quickly drew outrage online and left many students stunned.
What started as a routine day on campus turned into a scene straight out of a survival show, as the undergraduates skinned and butchered the bear, storing portions of meat in freezer bags.
Photos of the bear’s partially skinned body on a camouflage tarp spread rapidly across Reddit, Sidechat, and Facebook groups, fueling widespread disgust and disbelief.
Online Reactions Flood In
Social media erupted with mixed reactions. One Reddit user joked, “I am a fan of hunting.
But this kid needs to see someone… This is not okay,” while another on Sidechat quipped, “Wait till people find out where the dining hall food comes from.”
On Facebook, comments ranged from calling the act “outrageous” and “disturbing” to more humorous takes referencing Cornell’s mascot traditions.
The surreal nature of the incident was heightened by the fact that Cornell’s unofficial live bear mascot, Touchdown, has long been a campus symbol, making the event feel especially bizarre to the community.
Legal Hunting, But Controversial Location
Authorities confirmed that the students were legally licensed to hunt in New York State, and the bear had been lawfully harvested in Region 4, which includes parts of the Catskills and Hudson Valley.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) sent an investigator to campus and determined that the hunting itself complied with state regulations, including early firearms season, which runs from September 6 to September 21.
No charges were filed, even though a police report was submitted.
The DEC clarified that the bear was not a cub, quelling some early online speculation.
Health Concerns and Dorm Policies
The primary concern among students and staff was not the hunt, but the decision to process the bear in a shared dormitory kitchen.
Black bears can carry parasites such as trichinosis, raising health and safety concerns.
In response, the kitchen was closed “until further notice.”
The incident also highlighted a gap in Cornell’s rules.
The Student Code of Conduct does not specifically prohibit transporting or processing wild game on campus, leaving administrators in a tricky position: while the act unsettled many, it did not technically violate university policy.
Campus and Social Media Backlash
Students expressed frustration online, questioning why such a large animal would be butchered in a communal space.
Comments ranged from moral outrage to sarcastic jokes, reflecting both the absurdity and discomfort surrounding the incident.
Some questioned the necessity of hunting the bear at all, while others made playful references to Cornell’s bear mascot and campus culture.
Moving Forward
Although the bear was legally harvested and no wildlife laws were broken, the incident has sparked discussions about campus safety, dormitory policies, and proper locations for processing wild game.
Cornell has been contacted for comment, and the event remains a cautionary tale for students navigating the line between legality and social acceptability.