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Fish and Wildlife Officers Safely Remove a Bear from Downtown Pincher Creek

Sep 20, 2016 | 5:15 PM

PINCHER CREEK – A bear had to be euthanized Tuesday afternoon, after being captured by Fish and Wildlife Officers in Pincher Creek’s downtown.
 
According to Paul Johnson, District Fish and Wildlife Officer, RCMP were first on the scene, where a young, female black bear had climbed a tree near Bev McLaughlin Drive and Dundas Street. Johnson suspects it was attracted to the crab apple tree in the yard, since it was most likely trying to bulk up for the winter.
 
He explained that the bear was shot with a tranquilizer to immobilize it. After about 15 minutes, it eventually made a somewhat soft landing on the grass below.
 
However, after the unconscious animal was inspected, officers found a heavily infected injury near its neck.
 
“In consultation with wildlife biologists and predator bear response experts, it was determined that it was an unrecoverable injury. It wouldn’t have been humane to relocate it,” said Johnson.
 
He warns residents, particularly those with fruit trees in their yards, to be aware of bears on or near their property during this time of year, adding that fruit should be picked to avoid any potentially dangerous situations.
 
Overall, Johnson thought the entire operation went smoothly, and noted that this is a typical response.