Radnor Black Bear Captured Using Donuts, Maple Syrup, and Honey
The Radnor Black Bear’s Twitter selfie. Photo by Alan Vernon via Wikimedia Commons.
“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.” — Winnie-the-Pooh, A.A. Milne
He caused multiple school lockdowns, charged a police officer, and inspired a parody Twitter account, and now the Radnor black bear has reportedly been lured and captured by officials using donuts, maple syrup, and honey.
For those who haven’t been following the Radnor Black Bear (on Twitter or otherwise), a three-year-old, 210-pound male bear has been roaming all over Delaware County since it was discovered last month near the properties of two grade schools, both of which quickly initiated lockdowns. After reportedly charging a police officer and prompting the cancellation of a community picnic, the bear made its way to Ridley Creek State Park, where it was trapped.
After luring the bear with sweets, park officials subdued him with tranquilizers. According to the Delaware County Daily Times, the bear will be transported to state game lands in Dauphin County – where hunting is permitted.
The Radnor Black Bear isn’t taking that piece of knowledge too well, as one would expect.
I have Questions.
— Radnor Black Bear (@RadnorBear) October 3, 2016
What are your questions? Feel free to e-mail us pgccomments@pa.gov.
— Pennsylvania Game Commission (@PAGameComm) October 5, 2016
According to PhillyVoice, Justin Ritter, a Wildlife Conservation Officer for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said the decision to trap and relocate the bear was made “for its safety and wellbeing.”
“We were afraid that the bear would soon start traveling out of the park to find other food sources or a mate,” Ritter said in an email, according to the news outlet. “We did not want the bear to get hit by a vehicle.”
We’re just wondering whether the bear will tweet from its new home, where it will be free and hopefully safe to roam with some of Pennsylvania’s estimated 20,000 other black bears.
can we save PA bears while we're at it?
— Radnor Black Bear (@RadnorBear) September 19, 2016
All I wanted was some honey
— Radnor Black Bear (@RadnorBear) October 11, 2016
and donuts
— Radnor Black Bear (@RadnorBear) October 11, 2016
@PAGameComm Thanks for the donuts!
— Radnor Black Bear (@RadnorBear) October 11, 2016
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