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Large black bear in Washington has eluded capture for 2 years

Wildlife officials say bruin's GPS collar has stopped working

By Associated Press
Published: May 7, 2022, 8:01pm

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Wildlife officials in Washington trying to capture a 300-pound black bear for two years say his GPS collar that was supposed to fall off hasn’t and could be too tight.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife also told The Seattle Times in a story on Friday that the GPS collar stopped working.

Officials also want to capture the bear because they said he’s too comfortable around homes in Issaquah and gets into garbage.

“This can be unfortunate, as it’s not the bear’s fault that garbage or bird feeders were left out and served as attractants,” department spokesman Chase Gunnell said.

The agency has received more than 50 tips from the public in recent weeks but so far hasn’t captured the bruin. Officials have put out culvert traps and captured a different bear.

Officials said they haven’t decided what to do with the bear if they capture him, but will check if there’s any injury or infection from the collar.

The collar has a cotton spacer that’s supposed to wear away and cause the collar to fall off. It’s not known why the GPS stopped working, Gunnell said.

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