Mississippi bear trapped and released

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http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/20 ... lack-bear/

Wildlife officials release endangered black bear

Associated Press
Monday, June 2, 2008

MERIDIAN -- State wildlife officials have trapped, tagged and released a black bear that has been roaming a wooded area in southwest Lauderdale County.

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Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks officials say a black bear sighting is rare in the Lauderdale County area.

The bear was spotted last Wednesday, not far from the Meridian city limits, near the Interstate 20/59 split.

Officials set up cameras and caught the animal on tape. On Thursday, wildlife officials trapped the bear and tagged it.

Brad Young, leader of the MDWFP's Black Bear Program, said the 3-year-old male weighed 180 pounds.

Young said officials collected hair and tissue samples analysis.

Officials also put a tracking collar on the bear to monitor his movements and travel patterns.

Young said even though the black bears are an endangered species in Mississippi, sightings in the state have been on the rise in the past few years.

Young said officers left the bear where they trapped him. He said the MDWFP will monitor the bear and will track him down next winter for another evaluation.