Published: May 30, 2009 09:53 pm      

Bear Watch - May 31, 2009

A young bear killed May 23 on Interstate 70 near Pectonville in Washington County brings to five the highway mortality total for bruins in Maryland this year.



Harry Spiker of the Maryland Wildlife Service said crews are attempting to capture and euthanize a bear with a severe case of mange that has been photographed near Ellerslie. “We want to put that bear out of its misery,” Spiker said, adding that the animal is easily recognizable, having 80 percent of its body hair missing. A trap has been set. Spiker asked that anyone seeing the bear contact wildlife officials at the Cumberland office, (301) 777-2136. Mange is caused by mites that burrow beneath the animal’s skin, Spiker said. He is hoping to capture the ailing bear before mites are transferred to other bruins in that area.



On May 23, a wildlife crew captured and aversively conditioned a 116-pound female bear near a chicken coop that had been previously entered by a bear along Bray School Road in the Swallow Falls area of Garrett County.



Also May 23, a young bear that had climbed a tree near homes at Mountain Lake Park scampered down and disappeared after agency personnel dealt with a crowd that had gathered.



To report bear incidents to the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service, call (301) 334-4255 in Garrett County and (301) 777-2136 in Allegany County. Times-News Outdoor Editor Mike Sawyers may be contacted at msawyers@times-news.com or (301) 784-2523.