Officials: Black Bear Put Down For Killing Chickens, Quail
WOLFSVILLE, Md. (AP) -- Wildlife officials say a female black bear has been put down in Frederick County for killing dozens of chickens and domestic quail.
The Cumberland Times-News reports the animal was euthanized Wednesday by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The bear, which wore a radio-collar, had been studied by the agency for eight years.
Authorities say the animal had killed more than 30 chickens and 60 quail at various Wolfsville locations.
Harry Spiker, a spokesman for the agency's Wildlife & Heritage Service, says the bear was easily identified by the birds' owners because of its collar.
Spiker says the agency is awaiting the results of a necropsy.
Spiker says the bear, which has lived in the county since its birth in 2007, had given birth to three cubs this year.
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