Bear shot, killed near I-694 and Hwy. 36

Post date: May 23, 2011 1:36:55 PM

Article by: CHAO XIONG , Star Tribune

A black bear roaming the east metro was shot by a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officer Friday morning in a nature trail area near the junction of Interstate 694 and Hwy. 36.

A bear was sighted last week in Apple Valley, and other sightings started early this week in Woodbury, culminating in a slew of reports in St. Paul Thursday night off McKnight Road North into Friday morning in more residential areas.

A black bear was also sighted in North St. Paul and Oakdale.

Lt. Jason Peterson, a DNR conservation officer, said there's no knowing whether it was the same bear in the east metro or multiple bears.

"Your guess is as good as mine," Peterson said.

The DNR killed a 200-pound male black bear after a passerby saw it about 7 a.m. near the Gateway Trail in Pine Springs in Washington County. It will be donated for human consumption.

Woodbury police said there were reports the start of the week of a black bear in the vacant State Farm property. Another sighting there was reported Wednesday.

A bear appeared outside an apartment complex at 171 McKnight Road N. in St. Paul about 9:20 p.m. Thursday. Police responding to the call saw it behind a McDonald's restaurant on Suburban Avenue, said St. Paul police officer John Keating, a department spokesman.

The bear ran across Interstate 94, and police lost sight of it. It was reported at Minnehaha Avenue E. and Clarence Street about 3 a.m. Friday, and at Minnehaha and 7th St. about 4 a.m.

Bears can enter the east metro from western Wisconsin or northern Minnesota, Peterson said, noting that a bear was spotted in Maplewood last year. A healthy bear population will displace bears who go roaming for new space and food.

Killing bears that enter the metro is usually the best option because bears that associate humans with food will likely return to humans, Peterson said. Trapping in the city is also impractical and dangerous because of the high number of people and pets around.

The sighting inspired more intrigue than fear in area residents.

"I would like to see it, but you know, from a distance," said Gloria Grob, who lives near the first sighting in St. Paul.

Peterson recommends residents stay away from bears.

Chao Xiong • 612-270-4708