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HARRISBURG – The black bear known as "New Jersey Bear 3," which was relocated five times after wandering into populated Pennsylvania communities, was found dead on Oct. 20, from internal injuries likely sustained when it was captured in the community of West Goshen, Chester County.
According to a necropsy conducted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northcentral Region, the bear died from internal bleeding and bruising, likely sustained during its capture on Oct. 18. No external bruises were found.
Following a two-day chase that started in suburban Philadelphia on Oct. 17, the bear had been chased up a tulip poplar tree between Route 202 and Paoli Pike in West Goshen. The bear was treed by local police officers who responded to calls from residents about it being in the community. While in the tree, the bear was tranquilized by a Commission wildlife conservation officer. When the bear awoke three and half-hours later, no injuries were noticed and it was transported to the Commission’s Northcentral Region Office in Jersey Shore, Lycoming County.
The 400-pound male bear was found dead in a holding pen in Clearfield County on the morning of Oct. 20. It was to be released on State Game Lands (SGL) 30, Norwich Township, McKean County. (Previously, the Commission announced that the bear was going to be relocated to Potter County. However, SGL 30 in McKean County is further away from the Philadelphia region.)
"The bear appeared unusually lethargic," said Warren Q. Stump, law enforcement supervisor for the Commission’s Northcentral Region. "We held it in a holding pen for observation before attempting to release it. Unfortunately, due to the internal injuries, the bear died overnight."
In total, the Game Commission spent an estimated $8,500 to capture and transport the bear five times after it wandered into populated areas. Each time, calls from local residents to local law enforcement and the Game Commission prompted its removal.
"As Pennsylvania’s black bear range has grown over the past 20 years, bear sightings in populated communities are becoming more common," said Calvin DuBrock, director of the Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Management. He noted that in the past 25 years fewer than 10 people have been injured by bears in Pennsylvania, and there are no known records of a Pennsylvania black bear killing a human in any of the eastern coast states.
"While black bears needn’t be feared, they should not be dismissed as harmless. They simply need to be respected," DuBrock said.
The bear was first captured on April 5, in Bucks County and released on SGL 211 in Pine Grove Township, Schuylkill County.
It was captured a second time on May 10, in Lehigh County and released on SGL 264 in Wiconisco Township, Dauphin County.
The third time the bear was captured on Aug. 13, in Allentown and released in Bald Eagle State Forest, White Buffalo Township, Union County.
The fourth time the bear was captured in Bridgeport Borough, Montgomery County on Sept. 29. This time the bear was picked up by New Jersey Fish and Game and returned to New Jersey.
Uploaded: 10/28/1999
Uploaded: 10/28/1999