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Officials kill wandering black bear near Harrison

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By KERRI REMPP / Chadron Record

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 09:34:29 pm CDT

HARRISON — Nebraska officials Monday killed a young black bear that had wandered around Harrison and finally was trapped in a barn north of this northwest Panhandle town.

The last time a black bear was killed in Nebraska was in 1907, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Web site.

The bear went through Harrison Monday and then four miles north to a ranch, said Jeff Hoffman of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Story Photo
Lori Windsor of Harrison took this photo of a black bear after it was confined in a barn near Harrison. (Courtesy Lori Windsor)
Bears in Nebraska

According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Web site:

* Black bears were never common in Nebraska, but records indicate some roamed eastern Nebraska and ranged west along the Niobrara and Loup Rivers and into the Pine Ridge area.

* The last killed specimen - prior to Monday - was collected near Valentine in 1907.

* The species was considered extinct from Nebraska since the early 1900s.

* In fall 2000, Game and Parks confirmed an adult black bear sighting near Harrisburg.

* In May 2002, another confirmed observation was made and photos taken of a black bear with an eartag near Henry.

After it entered a barn, the ranch owner shut the door behind the young male.

Hoffman said the bear was killed because it was not acting normally and seemed accustomed to humans — a problem when it comes to large predators that can prey on livestock, pets or attack people.

Tranquilizing and moving the bear was not an option because Nebraska doesn’t have large tracts of public land to accommodate bears, Hoffman said.

Todd Nordeen, Game and Parks’ district wildlife manager for the Panhandle district, said his office received its first report of the bear around 6:30 p.m. Monday.

“It had been in and around Harrison. It sounded like folks had run it out of town,” he said.

Josh Windsor, 19, encountered the animal in his parents’ backyard while hanging clothes on the line at around 5 p.m.

When he saw an animal run out from behind a dumpster, he thought it was his family’s dog.

He turned and found himself face-to-face with the bear.

“He ran to the edge of the yard and stopped and looked at me,” Windsor said. The bear took off after he yelled at it.

Charlene Baker was on her way home from work at Security First Bank when she saw something cross the road.

“I did a double-take because I thought it was too big to be a dog,” she said.

She watched as the bear loped across the football field and crossed the highway in front of her. She lost sight of it after that.

“I could see that horses were riled up and the dogs were barking so I’m assuming that’s where it went,” she said.

The bear, estimated to be no more than 2 years old, made its way four miles north of town to the Bill Grote ranch.

Grote and his son, Lane, were checking on their spooked horses when they saw the bear hide under a trampoline.

Eventually, they were able to trap the bear in their shop.

After word spread through town, several people drove to the Grote ranch to get a look at it and take photos.

Pat Skavdahl saw the bear locked in Grote’s shop. She said she had never heard of one being in the area in recent times, but surveyor’s books from years past mention them frequently.

As soon as Game and Parks received the call, Nordeen said, officials began discussing how to handle the situation. Officials at Game and Parks headquarters in Lincoln were involved in the talks.

They decided to kill the bear for several reasons, primarily its behavior.

Also, zoos are not taking bears and Nebraska does not have enough public land large enough for a bear, Nordeen said.

“It would have ended up on private land. This bear didn’t seem to be afraid of humans too much, and we don’t want anyone to get hurt,” Nordeen said.

He said it was hard to tell where the bear had come from — and how it ended up in Harrison.

It likely crossed into Nebraska from Wyoming, South Dakota or Colorado, Nordeen said.

With hibernation over, the bear was undoubtedly looking for a way to survive, which Nordeen said would have been difficult.

“At his age, he would have had a tough time surviving in this area or anywhere for that matter.”

The state hasn’t decided what to do with the bear’s body. It might be mounted for display at a museum or in a Game and Parks facility, Nordeen said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.


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Terry wrote on May 13, 2008 3:52 pm:
" Should have brought the bear to southeast Nebraska. Then he could disappear with the Mountain Lions that aren't here either. "

 Why kill it wrote on May 13, 2008 4:09 pm:
" A black bear management area and habitat was only 90 miles away near Torington, Wyoming. "

 Nebraska wrote on May 13, 2008 4:37 pm:
" To Why Kill: because it's Nebraska and the answer is to shot everything! "

 Why indeed wrote on May 13, 2008 4:38 pm:
" Typical human reaction. We take away more and more animals habitats every year, animals that have been living in some of these areas alot longer than humans, and then have to kill it for infringing on 'our' space. To lazy and greedy to relocate it to a different area. Why not to a different state like Wyoming like the other commenter stated? If the bear was young, it could have still learned to live on it's own. "

 not right wrote on May 13, 2008 4:38 pm:
" I am not sure killing the bear was appropriate just because NE has no place to relocate it. "

 A Myth wrote on May 13, 2008 4:39 pm:
" This never happened. Mountain lions don't exist in Nebraska either. You must be crazy.....

I have seen elk near North Platte, mountain lion near Norfolk, a moose near columbus. I don't understand why the NE Game and Parks just can't admit it. "

 Come on guys. wrote on May 13, 2008 5:27 pm:
" NGPC has never denied the existence of mountain lions throughout the state. As far as elk of course there is a well established population at North Platte. These are both covered in NEBRASKALAND Magazine (A NGPC publication) at least once a year.
Instead of perpetuating this “everything the government does is bad.” Pick up a paper, read a book on these animals, or dare I say stop and listen to the NGPC personnel who have dedicated their lives to studying animals, their movements, and their habitat needs.
IT IS NOT A CONSPIRACY. It is nature!!!
"

 Henry wrote on May 13, 2008 5:27 pm:
" The Nebraska answer to everything we do not understand. Shoot to kill and ask questions later or not at all. the bear deserved to live in the area as much as any livestock or people. "

 Phil wrote on May 13, 2008 5:39 pm:
" I'm not sure shooting it was the right thing either, but we've had this problem up here in Minnesota before. You actually have to move them a lot farther than 90 miles away because they will return to their home territory. There was a family of bears they were going to euthanize in northern Minnesota, but then decided they found a preserve in Michigan they could move them too that was far enough away that they wouldn't find their way back. "

 Protective Habitat wrote on May 13, 2008 6:03 pm:
" How about a zoo?? Yellowstone?? Surely there was something that could've been done than kill the animal. Had it attacked any livestock, pet or humans? If not, then there shouldn't have been a reason not to relocate this young bear. "

 enough wrote on May 13, 2008 6:51 pm:
" Am I the only one that read this article completely? It states "Hoffman says the bear was killed because he was not acting normally and seemed accustomed to humans — a problem when it comes to large predators that can prey on livestock, pets or attack people." Let's trust Game and Parks judgement and feel lucky that the bear didn't attack a small child, pet, or you!!
"

 Vicky wrote on May 13, 2008 7:42 pm:
" You kill a bear, then want to mount it for display like it is something to be proud of ... all because it was acting "differently" Maybe the ones who killed the bear don't act "differently" themselves. I don't think they had a very long discussion on how to handle the situation - they just chose the easiest way out for themselves. "

 Matt wrote on May 13, 2008 7:52 pm:
" So i'm confused here. We dont want to waste our tax payers money to transport it back in the mountains somewhere, but we can use the money to mount it in a museum? IDK about anyone else but that makes no sense. Also the bear did not threaten anyone in any way. So why did it deserve to die. The story says it was acting funny... you THINK! It just wondered into a city full of people, cars, and buildings. How many times in that bears life do you think it saw that on a daily basis. In my mind it was a mistake to kill that bear for wondering into that town. "

 Warriors Rule wrote on May 13, 2008 8:56 pm:
" Why kill it.
Wyoming has been relocating bears to Texas recently.
So maybe something we do not know about.
The bear was killed right on the edge of the "Thayer Fire",which burned much of the area to the east.

The bear had already been in dumpsters what would have prevented it from returning to town and attacking? It was apparent it was not afraid to be around humans.

Sometimes prevention is the best thing and I think it was here also.
Yes Sioux County is the Wildlife Capitol of Nebraska. Mountain Lions, Trophy Elk, Big Horn Sheep and now Black Bears. "

 Mac wrote on May 13, 2008 9:43 pm:
" As a Nebraskan living in Colorado, I'm ashamed. They had to shoot it? Sounds as if Nebraska Game and Parks took the easy -- and cheap -- way out. It only cost them a bullet. Wildlife, especially wildlife that is rare to Nebraska, is to be cherished, not gunned down because no one working for the state has the brains or the wherewithal to make a better choice. "

 Common Sense II wrote on May 13, 2008 9:58 pm:
" Dangerous animal near town, kids, livestock (their livelihood, remember?!?!?) and we want to let it roam free???? Well, if you folks want to donate the $800 per lost animal everytime it destroys one or go through the possible heartache of human attack, than move out there and make your living in NW Nebraska. If not, sit in Lincoln and mind your own business. Just remeber, it's a bear, a real live predator who can do some pretty bad things... "

 Kracklin K wrote on May 13, 2008 11:14 pm:
" The Stack foundation could have found a suitable arrangement for the bear. It has relocated many wild fur animals around the midwest. "

 Laughing wrote on May 13, 2008 11:25 pm:
" The people that say that Game & Parks "denies" the existence of mountain lions make me laugh. They have a page on their website dedicated to them as one of Nebraska's wildlife species: http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/mountainlion.asp

Of course they aren't going to "confirm" every sighting, but they don't deny they exist by any means. Denying elk exist near North Platte? Umm, again, Game & Parks sells elk hunting permits for an area near there, so I don't think that is a denial.

As for the bear, I do think it was probably the "easy way out" for Game & Parks, but since they probably didn't have a set protocal for dealing with a problem they haven't had since 1907. I bet they will be developing one quick! "

 Sharon wrote on May 13, 2008 11:26 pm:
" What a terrible crime to kill this bear that had not harmed anyone. Why is life so disposable in todays society? After safely getting the bear contained they could of come up with a much more humane option. "

 Not enough wrote on May 13, 2008 11:27 pm:
" To enough. I read the article and the quote you posted. Who was it that was quoted again? Someone from Nebraksa game and parks or someone from Wyoming who might actually know something about bears. If NGPC spoke about mule deer or antelope, I would believe them. When NGCP acts like experts on bears, which Nebraska does not have but once in a blue moon, I would hardly consider them experts in this situation. I would hope the bear was acting strange since it was locked in a barn!! Hardly anything natural for the animal. I say NGPC messed up this one. It's ok NGPC, go ahead and say you messed up this one. Nobody is perfect. "

 To Not Enough wrote on May 14, 2008 7:03 am:
" It wasn't acting strangely because it was locked in a barn. It was acting strangely to have arrived there at all. Bears do not normally hang out in towns especially in Nebraska. There was something else going on. To all the rest on here who say that it should not have been killed. What would you be saying if that bear was relocated and then walked into a school yard in Chadron and attacked a child. Think about the big picture. Something was wrong with this bear and NGPC did the right thing.Thank you Nebraska Game and Parks!! "

 Iraqi Vet wrote on May 14, 2008 7:13 am:
" Black bears are killed every day by hunters in Tennessee and North Carolina. Cry me a river. Maybe you all should cry for the tens of thousands of people killed recently in China and Myanmar. REALITY CHECK! "

 Yogi wrote on May 14, 2008 7:18 am:
" Nice shot! "

 mitchy_v wrote on May 14, 2008 7:37 am:
" Black bears are supposed to be afraid of people, this one wasn't. It would only be a matter of time before someone got hurt. Many of you saying that the bear did nothing wrong are probably the same ones who think we need to ban pitbulls. "

 Jackson Wyoming resident. wrote on May 14, 2008 7:40 am:
" We relocate bears all the time up here. I do understand why this bear was terminated. If bears go dumpster diving then it doesn't understand to get food the right way. Being so far away from its habitat wouldn't matter. Once bears learn not to be afraid of humans, their life is over. Put it in yellowstone, ha. Bears in yellowstone are terminated every year because they get used to humans, and try and get human food. "

 common cents wrote on May 14, 2008 7:55 am:
" Enjoy the animals now because your grandchildren will only get to see them stuffed or in museums. "

 Cruel and Unusual wrote on May 14, 2008 8:14 am:
" The bear obviously was starving, hence why it went into the "city" and was acting strangely. It appears the only predators that we have to fear in Nebraska is the over zealous game and parks dept. "

 Common Sense II wrote on May 14, 2008 8:14 am:
" Funny how everyone's an expert 500 miles away... if the bear is not scared of humans (I know many Lincolnites pretend to know a lot, but in case you've never been to Harrision, it is in the middle of nowhere surrounded by 50 miles of no ranchland and wilderness) why did it roam into Harrison???? Everyone who thinks this was a normal cuddly bear can come back to reality. The bear was not right, in a bad situtation for it and others.

Relocating a hazardous bear isn't good either. Could you imagine the backlash if this thing were to attack again?

Killing, unfortunately, is the only sensible option in some situations and this was one of them. Nobody is saying throw a party for the bear kill, just think about the whole situation. "

 Rhonda wrote on May 14, 2008 8:15 am:
" We've been seeing more of them the last few years. They usually stay close to the trees, but sometimes come out when we're feeding the cattle. One of them had two cubs with her last spring, but we haven't seen them yet this year. They never hurt a thing or cause any trouble - just looking for food I suppose. Sorry to hear that they decided to kill the one up by Harrison. Why??? "

 Idea wrote on May 14, 2008 8:31 am:
" Hey, Games and Parks! There is this thing called a ZOO, ever heard of em? "

 Grundle wrote on May 14, 2008 8:48 am:
" Yeah, the NGPC won't admit there are mountain lions in Nebraska, which must explain why they've given mountain lions their own page on their website. Go to the NGPC website and search "mountain lion" and click on the first result that comes up. The only 'myth' being purported here is the alleged denial.

I believe the article details quite succinctly why the bear was shot. "Hoffman said the bear was killed because it was not acting normally and seemed accustomed to humans — a problem when it comes to large predators that can prey on livestock, pets or attack people." When wild predators lose their fear of humans, they begin attacking humans. This has been documented in SEVERAL large predatory mammals. I don't understand this idea that a wild animal has to harm or kill a human before we decide whether or not it needs to be destroyed. I don't think too many of the posters questioning the need to kill this animal have ever done any type of wildlife management coursework...Game and Parks officials have. They are the ones educated in this subject, they know the chances are high that an animal like this will continue to be a problem now that it has a learned behavior pattern of interacting with human civilization to find food.

Finally, I pose this question. Many posters have claimed that this wasn't necessary...that a "more humane" option could have been found. Well, pray tell, what are some of those options? Ship it to Wyoming? What makes you think they want it? Put it in a zoo? Which zoo is going to want a problem bear with a penchant for people food? Ship it 90 miles west? Where do you think the bear came from? A black bear could cover that distance in a matter weeks, maybe even days. Killing a wild animal is not a crime...it is a fact of life. If you find it so distasteful, I suggest a change of scenery...perhaps an area where there is no such thing as 'wildlife'. "

 JB wrote on May 14, 2008 8:55 am:
" Did they have to kill the bear? Sounds like "hitting the broad side of a barn". "

 not enough info wrote on May 14, 2008 9:01 am:
" Look! You all have your opinions, but the fact of the matter is that we don't have all the info in this article. I'm sure that the authorities made the right decision after consulting with one another on the bear in discussion. we don't know what their conversations were and we can't jump to a conclusion that they wanted to shoot the bear. I will trust their authority and their education and their experience that they did the right thing. the rest of you need to realize that you don't have their experience to make such a decision. "

 NW NE wrote on May 14, 2008 9:21 am:
" I back the G&P on this one. The bear was in town going through dumpsters and was obviously not afraid of humans. A lot of you have said that it did not harm anyone. Why wait for something like that to happen? That is easy to say when you live hundreds of miles from this little town. If you came face to face with a bear in your backyard and it did attack you, you would be all over the G&P commission for letting that happen. Also, Nebraska is not the only game and fish organization that euthanizes bears for this same reason. It happens all the time with problem (human contact) in Colorado. Colorado does have a two-strike policy for nuisance bears, however. On the bear's third offense it is euthanized. Having not dealt with bears much in the last century, I am sure NE G&P has no policy. Lets say, for argument's sake, that Nebraska did just let this bear keep going. If they did that, chances are it would either come back into town or go a few miles north to the Gilbert-Baker campground and cause problems with campers who aren't taking precautions for camping in bear country. "

 JOHN wrote on May 14, 2008 9:23 am:
" The bear probably heard about the "Good Life" here in Nebraska and came to the state on vaction from Yellowstone before the busy tourist season starts. And what do we do? We panic and shot him! I think the next time I go, if I ever go again to the pine ridge and the Oglala grass lands I'd rather take my chances with the bears than the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. "

 to iraqi vet wrote on May 14, 2008 9:26 am:
" Um, are you serious? No one chose to kill the people that were involved in the quake, it was a natural disaster and I'm sure everyone's heart goes out to them, I know mine does. But that doesn't mean that killing "a bear, estimated to be no more than 2 years old", is the right thing to do. We shouldn't kill every animal that MIGHT be dangerous. We should set up areas for this type of thing. I'll give my farm for it. "

 Because wrote on May 14, 2008 9:34 am:
" nebraska can't get tourist to stop maybe it could have been kept alive and put in the wildcat ridge area. Tourists would drive up through there to see wildlife. Quit killing animals Nebraska. You''d be surprised how many people like knowing there is true wildlife in the area. I live where black bear is something you see once a month and people visit to have the chance to see them in a natural habitat. "

 Justin wrote on May 14, 2008 9:39 am:
" Poor guy. He was just trying to survive. I'm surprised taking to a sanctuary like the one mentioned in another coming wasn't discussed as a viable option. "

 Nebraskan in Montana wrote on May 14, 2008 10:12 am:
" This happens frequently in Montana....that is bears ending up in "human territory". Bears are re-located all the time. I guess it was too much work to relocate the bear to a neighboring state? Or could the bear not sustain the move? "

 Lisa wrote on May 14, 2008 10:32 am:
" They shot this bear that was afraid and non aggressive?? Could the bear not have been transferred to another state?? This is absolutely horrid!!! I am all for animals being killed if they are a threat to other humans or even livestock, but this poor bear was just confused like a stranger in a strange land. There were other options and places that this bear could have gone. These officials had "Tunnel vision."

I also can't believe that they are thinking of displaying the bear's body in a museum That is just sick!!!! "

 Isnt it sad wrote on May 14, 2008 10:37 am:
" how people care more about a BEAR that was shot and killed or a HORSE that broke its legs and had to be put down more than they do about the earthquake in China or twister in Myanmar where THOUSANDS of HUMANS were killed. "

 JJ wrote on May 14, 2008 11:00 am:
" What a sad story. How sick to kill an animal because it wandered into the wrong area. This would have been different if a farmer had killed it because it was threatening him or his livestock, but the Park Dept could have tranquilized this bear. Wyoming is not that far away and it could have been relocated. SAD STORY! "

 Nildjat wrote on May 14, 2008 11:03 am:
" Having lived in Colorado and Wyoming, I would seriously hesitate to call any bear "strange" for wandering through a town. It's pretty common up there where we humans haven't managed to eliminate those "dangerous predators". Anymore, bears don't have a "natural habitat" that isn't littered with towns and dumpsters and tourists who love to feed them their McDonalds... so I am not quick to condemn an animal for learning to adapt to an increasingly encroached-upon environment. Honestly, I can't think of the last time anyone was mauled by a wild bear walking through their yard. Sure, it happens -- extremely rarely. Usually it's your garbage cans you have to worry about. (Same with the mountain lions, BTW.) Here in Nebraska, where bears lived for, oh, many hundreds, if not thousands of years prior to our arrival and domination, it shouldn't be so uncommon to deal with them, either. Only, what, 100 years ago, if a bear killed one of your cows, it was your responsibility and not the rest of society's. I feel very sorry for the people who can't welcome the return of the bear to its natural range, proving that we humans haven't completely destroyed all of nature's beautiful and mysterious creatures quite yet... "

 GMP wrote on May 14, 2008 11:06 am:
" Why kill it? Zoos, habitats, etc. It didn't do anything wrong but try to live. It probably saw humans as just another animal, and lived in such close proximity that he didn't see us as a threat (or lunch), that is until we killed him. "

 Oh Mitchy V wrote on May 14, 2008 11:08 am:
" so because this "wild" animal is acting wild it should be shot and killed? I hope you agree with the death penalty for humans than! Tranquilize the animal and relocate it, and I will quarentee this animal then will be afraid of humans. The Nebraska Game and Parks needs to try harder. "

 To the people who say wrote on May 14, 2008 12:58 pm:
" what about the people in Myamar? Well lets see, the earthquake was a natural disaster that could not be controlled by humans. This bear was killed by humans for a pathetic reason. I see your point, but if you care enough for those people then you should care about a animal that was killed because it was too close to humans. The G&P did the wrong thing, end of story. And saying "the bear has became accustomed to eating human food" is not an excuse. The bear has became accustomed to eating human food, then it can become accustomed to eating wild food again. Try harder G&P. "

 West side wrote on May 14, 2008 1:08 pm:
" You people need to get real about what type of resources are available to middle of nowhere small towns in western NE. (Yes, there are towns out there west of Grand Island). Odds are there wasn't someone handy who was familiar with relocating bears. "

 Wally G wrote on May 14, 2008 2:28 pm:
" Typical Nebraskan response...KILL the unfamiliar! Bears are the only mammals native to all 49 continental United States. What? No tranquilizers in the panhandle? "Hell, let's jus' shoot it!" "

 mitchy_v wrote on May 14, 2008 2:45 pm:
" Read the article people. "They decided to kill the bear for several reasons, primarily its behavior.

Also, zoos are not taking bears and Nebraska does not have enough public land large enough for a bear, Nordeen said."

So, since it did nothing wrong, you would have no problem with it being in your back yard with your children. It is a wild animial and very unpredictable. Once they learn of human food being a easy source of food, they will keep coming back because it is so easy to obtain. It isn't that simple to say "it can become accustomed to eating wild food again". NGAP did the right thing. Maybe you should worry more about the domesticated animails the humain societies put don't each year. "

 duh wrote on May 14, 2008 2:49 pm:
" Relocate it? Put it in a Zoo? Don't you think they tried. Nobody wanted it. They would have gladly given it to a zoo if they wanted it. It was acting abnormal. NOBODY wants to take in an abnormal bear in a zoo. Move it to Wyoming? Nope, then it would just be a problem bear for them. "

 JW wrote on May 14, 2008 2:54 pm:
" My question is, if any citizen of Nebraska were to have shot this bear what would the Game&Parks Div. thought of that? I have a pretty good idea that you would have had a huge fine and possible jail time. I am an avid hunter and have no problem with elimating problem animals but I have to question the killing of this animal. I also see NO conection between this story and the problems in China or Myanmar. Last I heard Myanmar was refusing outside help especially that of the USA, which for me makes it hard to feel sorry for them. "

 Frank wrote on May 14, 2008 3:34 pm:
" Does the fact that they killed the bear change any of our lives? I know it doesn't change mine. Quit bashing on the Game & Parks Commission for doing their jobs. If you want to put the blame where it really lies, blame the media for reporting the story. Without them reporting, just think of the things all of you could have accomplished instead of wasting time blogging about something which affects none of us. "

 What exactly wrote on May 14, 2008 3:39 pm:
" What, exactly would some of you people like them to have done? If a zoo won't take it, there are no rehab facilities, what options were there? Release it at Mahoney State Park? Wilderness Park? Sneak it into Wyoming and let it go? I'm sure their Game & Fish Department would love that... The article explicitly outlines why they did what they have to do, but the armchair quarterbacks in Lincoln and elsewhere seem to have the answers. "

 Oh Mitchy V wrote on May 14, 2008 3:50 pm:
" What about the birds that dive bomb me every morning, should I just kill them too? They are acting pretty abnormal for a bird. I think it is hillarious that the only way we try to "live safely" with these animals is to kill them. I wonder who has been roaming the US longer, bears or humans? Why should the bears suffer? Because we can't properly live with wild animals they are the ones to suffer. Maybe if people locked garbage up properly this would never happen, oh wait that is waaaay too much to ask isn't it? Wouldn't want to go out of our way to help a wild animal now would we? "

 I know a lot wrote on May 14, 2008 3:52 pm:
" of animals that act pretty abnormal starting with tons of humans. Also rabbits are eating my garden, and coyotes ate my neighbors dog the other day can I kill them? Nice try Mitchy.Im sure glad I don't believe everything I read. "

 MyCents wrote on May 14, 2008 4:19 pm:
" I am also an avid hunter and would have to say that there were plenty of options here. The bear was probably out looking for new territory. Odds are that if you set a live trap in that barn with a can of tuna it would be in it in no time and you wouldnt even need a tranquilizer. I thought that the first rule was to respect the wildlife and not make rash decitions. It was locked in a barn so they had all the time in the world to contact other states and find it a new location to roam. I want to see the autopsy report and see if in fact it was sick with say Rabies or Distemper or any of the other things wild critters get. Looks fat and healthy in the picture to me. "

 Not my money wrote on May 15, 2008 9:17 am:
" I am glad they did not spend money to relocate the bear so another state could have charged someone money to let them shoot it. NG&P just did away with the middle man and saved some tax dollars doing it. "

 ta wrote on May 15, 2008 9:32 am:
" In California we move them. Ever heard of a bear trap. "

 Ol Farmer wrote on May 15, 2008 11:48 am:
" From the National Park Service: Black bears rarely harm humans, but if they become accustomed to being around humans they may lose their fear of them, and become aggressive. So yes, it seems, this bear would have been a threat to children, who as small individuals, would seem fair game to predators. NPS also said black bears (males) can grow to 600 lb. "

 had to write wrote on May 16, 2008 8:16 am:
" wow, so many people think they are wiser than our state's wildlife biologists. it was a bear in a town then in somebody's barn, not a teddy bear. before you let the picture make you sympathetic remember an emotional reaction is usely not the wisest. our game biologists are passionate about doing whats best for animals not killing them. "

 Fight wrote on May 16, 2008 1:14 pm:
" So they should have just caught it, then catch the Mountain Lion in east Nebraska. Then meet at a midpoint, at say, the new fair grounds in GI and have them fight to the death. I think the bear should get a mace and the lion have a trident taped to its back. Charge admission and use the money for state funding. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Bear meat!!! Welcome to the Good Life. Unless your a bear, then you just get shot. "

 Dan wrote on May 16, 2008 2:50 pm:
" Mary it seems like you are assuming a lot of things about the NG&PC. Most zoos do not want a common wild animal due to the fact of what diseases are they carrying, exactly if it is behaving strangely from the beginning, some zoos do not have a facilities for new animals at minutes notice and proper feed on hand for that particular animal. Why would another state park want another bear when they have problems with bears that are not afraid of humans now, why would Rocky Mountain National Park want this bear? All it said the animal was acting strangely, it could have been lethargic when it should have been agitated, the story never said. I am pretty much sure that the NG&PC does not have the proper trailer to handle a bear, sedative or even tranquilizer gun for a bear with the closest equipment being on the western side of Wyoming and Colorado. As a layman I would surmise that it would take a different dart and dosage for a bear compared to a coyote. The NG&PC assessed the situation and took proper action to protect the citizens of the State of Nebraska and then take heat from desk top quarterbacking. "

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