HARRISBURG, Pa. – The bear that attacked two children in Luzerne County – raising concern elsewhere like in Bucks County – has been euthanized, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
The Game Commission said two bears, a male and a female, were caught n live traps after the May 22 bear attack in Wright Township that injured a 5-year-old and a 14-month-old.
After comparing DNA on the clothes of the injured children when they were attacked, it was confirmed the trapped female was the same bear that attacked the children, said the Game Commission.
“While the agency doesn’t take lightly its duty to follow protocol to euthanize a bear involved in an attack, it also places great importance on ensuring public safety, and in this case we have fulfilled our responsibility through our actions,” said Bryan Burhans, executive director, state Game Commission.
The male bear that was captured was relocated to a remote area, he said.
While bear attacks in Pennsylvania are “extremely rare,” when bears attack people and later are captured, they are euthanized to ensure public safety, said Burhans.
“For more than 125 years, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has worked to protect and provide for the Commonwealth’s wildlife,” he said.
Soon after the Luzerne County attack, the state Game Commission reported that earlier in May there had been two “nuisance” reports of black bears on the loose in Upper Bucks County.
“But nothing in Lower Bucks County,” said Travis Lau, Communications Director, state Game Commission.
(Did the female bear mistake the children for her cubs? What do you think? ‘Follow’ here.)
Comments / 17