Bear eludes wildlife officials

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife officers haven’t stopped hunting for a young black bear, recently spotted roaming around South Kitsap.

“The bear was likely kicked out of it’s den by it’s mother, and it’s searching for territory and food,” said Darren Friedel, a public information officer for the department of fish and wildlife.

Initial plans to catch the bear have been unsuccessful.

Officers yesterday shot the bear with a tranquilizing dart as it wandered into a field near the McDonald's on Mile Hill Drive.

They believe the bear didn’t feel the dart’s full effects, though, and it ran away.

Officers also baited a bear trap with doughnuts doused in syrup, but the bear hasn’t yet taken the bait, and used a tracking dog without success.

Tuesday, Wildlife officials searched for the bear, without the dog, as it wandered north from Peru Street to the Manchester area.

“If we’re lucky enough to see it, it’s already moving through the brush,” said Wildlife Sgt. Ted Jackson.

It hasn’t yet harmed people or animals.

“It hasn’t done anything,” said Jackson. “It’s just on the move.”

Department of Fish and Wildlife officers set up a new trap for the bear in the Manchester area.

If the bear continues north, it may not need to be relocated, but if it stays near people, then Department of Fish and Wildlife officers plan to move it.

“The plan is to capture the animal and locate it away from the urban area,” Friedel said, "in more bear friendly habitat" near the Olympic Peninsula.

 

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