STERLING
State biologists tranquilized and moved a grizzly bear that had torn through garbage receptacles on the Kenai Peninsula.
The Department of Fish and Game had received several calls from Sterling reporting that the bear was rummaging through trash. It was darted near the Suzie's Cafe trash bin about 7 p.m. Thursday.
"It kind of left a trail of destruction in its path," said wildlife technician Larry Lewis.
The bear had plenty of food in the area and no reason to leave, Lewis said.
"It was definitely drawn to the area because of garbage issues," said state biologist Jeff Selinger. Biologists identified the bear by a tag the department placed in its ear after its mother was illegally shot near the Russian River in 2003. The female and her two brothers were orphaned.
Selinger darted the bear, and he and Lewis tracked it into woods. Volunteers helped carry the bear out, and Lewis and Selinger prepared it for relocation.
The bear was taken in a pickup from Sterling to an unidentified location.
Selinger said the bear was fitted with a radio collar before it was released. Relocated bears frequently return to developed areas. "In general, it's not real productive to move them," he said. "What we're really trying to do is to prevent removals in the first place."
-- The Associated Press
