Overview

• USDA Wildlife Services sedated a two-year-old, 70-pound female bear near Cable on August 3 and removed a plastic jar that had encased its head since July 26.
• The underweight sow traversed nearly 50 miles across Sawyer, Bayfield and Douglas counties while evading multiple live-trap attempts.
• Wildlife biologists noted punctures in the jar likely clawed by the bear and confirmed it had drank water by dunking its head into streams.
• After examination the bear received two plastic ear tags as mandated for sedated free-ranging wildlife before being released into a wooded area rich in berries and water.
• The Wisconsin DNR continues to collect public sightings and warns residents to lock up garbage and food containers to reduce attractant-related bear injuries.