200-Pound Bear With Munchies Relocated

A 200-pound black bear believed responsible for eating food left unattended or inadequately stored by humans in the Sol Duc valley of Olympic National Park has been captured and relocated.

The full-grown male bear was live-trapped late Friday night and was marked and relocated to a remote area Saturday morning. Previous attempts to drive the animal from the area, including firing rubber buckshot and firecracker shells, were unsuccessful.

“Relocating this bear, while encouraging it to regain its natural food habits, does not address the underlying issue of keeping human food away from bears,” park wildlife biologist Patti Happe said.

“We must continue to make every effort to educate all park users to ensure that food items are kept inaccessible to wildlife, both in the developed areas and park wilderness.”