Post by freedomrules3 on Aug 2, 2006 19:47:15 GMT -5
DNR Euthanizes Bear In Garrett County
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ANNAPOLIS - The Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) euthanized a nuisance black bear near Deep Creek Lake State Park in Garrett County yesterday, July 20. The female bear had a multi-year history of avoiding non-lethal conditioning techniques, and has been active again in the Deep Creek Lake State Park campground since May of this year. She had been known to enter the campground in search of food and had exhibited aggressive behavior towards park patrons.
The sow had been trapped and aversively conditioned by WHS twice, and had been chased off with dogs since first appearing in the park. Aversive conditioning is a technique where problem bears are sprayed with pepper spray and shot with non-lethal rounds of rubber buckshots in order to change the bear’s behavior. Despite several attempts to modify this bear’s behavior, and to educate park visitors on how to properly store food and trash to deter bears from coming to the campground, early yesterday morning the bear entered an occupied camper’s tent in search of food.
“We made every reasonable non-lethal attempt to change this bear’s behavior,” said Paul A. Peditto, WHS Director. “Our bear nuisance response plan charts our course of action in these situations. We followed this plan, but unfortunately it was determined that this particular sow had to be euthanized. We could not further tolerate or risk the aggressive behavior of this bear towards people.”
The sow, a WHS research bear that was wearing a GPS collar, had 3 cubs. It was determined that these bears were old enough to survive on their own.
Feeding black bears is illegal in Maryland. Deliberate or accidental feeding of bears can lead to a situation where bears learn to be comfortable near homes and campgrounds and lose their natural fear of people, creating a dangerous situation for both bears and people.
The Department continues to closely monitor black bear activities throughout western Maryland. Although the majority of bears are non-aggressive, some bears will exhibit aggressive tendencies towards humans particularly when food and trash are left unsecured.
www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2006/072106.html
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ANNAPOLIS - The Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) euthanized a nuisance black bear near Deep Creek Lake State Park in Garrett County yesterday, July 20. The female bear had a multi-year history of avoiding non-lethal conditioning techniques, and has been active again in the Deep Creek Lake State Park campground since May of this year. She had been known to enter the campground in search of food and had exhibited aggressive behavior towards park patrons.
The sow had been trapped and aversively conditioned by WHS twice, and had been chased off with dogs since first appearing in the park. Aversive conditioning is a technique where problem bears are sprayed with pepper spray and shot with non-lethal rounds of rubber buckshots in order to change the bear’s behavior. Despite several attempts to modify this bear’s behavior, and to educate park visitors on how to properly store food and trash to deter bears from coming to the campground, early yesterday morning the bear entered an occupied camper’s tent in search of food.
“We made every reasonable non-lethal attempt to change this bear’s behavior,” said Paul A. Peditto, WHS Director. “Our bear nuisance response plan charts our course of action in these situations. We followed this plan, but unfortunately it was determined that this particular sow had to be euthanized. We could not further tolerate or risk the aggressive behavior of this bear towards people.”
The sow, a WHS research bear that was wearing a GPS collar, had 3 cubs. It was determined that these bears were old enough to survive on their own.
Feeding black bears is illegal in Maryland. Deliberate or accidental feeding of bears can lead to a situation where bears learn to be comfortable near homes and campgrounds and lose their natural fear of people, creating a dangerous situation for both bears and people.
The Department continues to closely monitor black bear activities throughout western Maryland. Although the majority of bears are non-aggressive, some bears will exhibit aggressive tendencies towards humans particularly when food and trash are left unsecured.
www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2006/072106.html
