Post by: Ridgeratt on May 26, 2022, 06:21:00 AM
Elusive and ‘unnaturally large’ black bear found on Eastside
VIDEO: Elusive Black bear found on Eastside
By KIRO 7 News Staff
May 25, 2022 at 3:18 am PDT
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife found and euthanized an “unnaturally large” black bear it had been working to track down for more than two years.
Wildlife officials had been looking for the bear for its own safety and for the sake of those living near Cougar Mountain and Squak Mountain, which is where it was found.
Chase Gunnell with WDFW said the bear was two to three sizes larger than the average 200-pound black bear and was elusive.
It reportedly had gotten portly and weighed 350 pounds, causing concern.
The bear was reportedly roaming through neighborhoods and backyards. It was feeding on garbage and getting into bird feeders, which is what officials didn’t want.
The bear had also been fitted with a GPS tracker in 2018, but the tracker had gone silent, which is the second reason officials were looking for the animal.
Gunnell said the collar was designed to break off after a period of time but that did not happen.
Wildlife officials euthanized the animal because it had become dependent on human food.
If Chase Gunnell doesn't raise any concern it should.
Communications Director
A lifelong Washingtonian and passionate hunter and angler, Chase Gunnell is the Communications Director for the National Wildlife Federations’ Washington state affiliate, Conservation Northwest, which for 33 years has worked to protect, connect and restore wildlife and wildlands.
The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act: a life-line for Pacific ...
nwf.org/Outdoors/Blog/08-11-2021-Chase-Gunnell
nwf.org/Outdoors/Blog/08-11-2021-Chase-Gunnell
Post by: Jpmiller on May 26, 2022, 06:38:56 AM
Maybe I have a career in journalism, I sound stupid all the time too
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on May 26, 2022, 06:43:31 AM
Post by: Alan K on May 26, 2022, 06:49:35 AM
The alarming part of the story is what looks like the confirmed infiltration of WDFW by CNW. Good spot there Ridgeratt.
Post by: Ridgeratt on May 26, 2022, 07:33:54 AM
The alarming part of the story is what looks like the confirmed infiltration of WDFW by CNW. Good spot there Ridgeratt.
This is nothing new. I have maintained the best way for the anti-hunting groups to promote their agenda was from the inside. If a biologist can set policy from inside it is easier to swallow.
Back when the wolves showed up in Washington I attended meeting here to discuss the wolves. The representee from the WDFW was just getting started. He made it sound like he drew the short straw and they said "You" are our wolf guy. They were talking about breeding pairs in the State. He stated there was no evidence of any in the NE corner above Kettle Falls and the wolves who were there crossed in from Canada. I guess the border is a magic line they didn't count. That spring the Wedge pack became a problem and they had to control them.
The name of the person was "Jay Shepherd" he at that time was a WDFW employee. He has since moved on to become the wolf lead for CNW. He also is heads up this group.
Jay Shepherd leads our wolf recovery and coexistence field program, including our Range Rider Pilot Project and administering the independent Northeast Washington Wolf-Cattle Collaborative.
https://conservationnw.org/meet-our-staff/jay-shepherd/
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on May 26, 2022, 07:40:36 AM