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News / Northwest

Report knocks WSU bear research program

Better practices, larger facility recommended

The Columbian
Published: March 9, 2016, 8:40pm

PULLMAN — A new report is critical of Washington State University’s bear research center in Pullman.

Concerns about the well-being of WSU’s grizzly population prompted the university to investigate the facility last fall.

The Moscow-Pullman Daily News says the report found some issues with the facility and its euthanasia practices.

The report found two grizzly cubs had to be killed in 2010 after they were placed in hibernation together in a “culvert trap” without an adult.

But the bears did not go into hibernation, and their health deteriorated so severely they had to be euthanized.

The report also found two adult bears were killed in January to examine tissue samples.

The report says the university needs a larger, updated bear facility. It also called for better communication with the campus veterinarian.

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