UNDERHILL, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont wildlife officials say a state game warden Friday morning euthanized a bear in Underhill that has acted aggressively toward multiple landowners.
They say the 100-pound bear was attracted to a resident’s yard by recycling left outside the front door early Friday. After initially being scared away, officials say the bear returned repeatedly even after the material was removed, saying it it showed no fear of people and acted aggressively.
After a game warden arrived on the scene, officials say the bear continued to act aggressively and that the warden euthanized it.
“No one wants bear conflicts to escalate to the point that killing the bear is necessary to protect public safety,” Game Warden Lt. Robert Currier said in a statement. “Vermonters have a responsibility to stop these kinds of conflicts before they escalate by making sure bears are not attracted to our homes by easy access to foods like unsecured garbage, birdfeeders, or unprotected backyard chickens and bees. Proactive conflict prevention is the safest thing for the bears, and for people.”
Information on preventing conflicts with bears is available on the department’s website.