Bear released into Eastern Panhandle
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - A black bear which was tranquilized and captured after it wandered into a Ranson neighborhood Wednesday was released in an undislosed wooded area in the Eastern Panhandle later that evening, according to a state Department of Natural Resources official.
Rich Rogers, a wildlife biologist for DRN, said he did not want to say where the bear was released for fear people would seek out the animal.
"It's a problem bear and it's best left alone," Rogers said Thursday.
Wildlife officials said black bears can be attracted to residential areas if they find food, and can quickly lose their fear of humans.
The 200-pound black bear ran up a tall pine tree on Preston Street after an animal control officer tried to tranquilize it with a dog tranquilizer.
