A bear was struck by a car on Lettis Highway in Oneonta late Sunday night.
The wounded bear was then put down by an Oneonta police officer.
The bear was spotted several times Sunday night in the Lettis Highway and Interstate 88 Exit 15 area, and police were on the look-out for it at the time it was hit by a Ford Focus at 11:35 p.m., Chief Gary O'Neill said.
No one was injured in the car, he said.
The Department of Environmental Conservation said there have been several recent bear sightings in the area and cautioned residents not to approach a cornered bear.
Officials said they believed that the bear was around 2 years old and weighed around 150 pounds.
Several motorists had spotted the bear, and police said it appeared to be trying to escape the area when it was struck.
Some of the reports fielded by police indicate there may have been more than one bear.
Sightings were also reported near the post office and in Neahwa Park.
There were 154 reports of nuisance bears in DEC Region 4 last year. Region 4 includes Albany, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Schoharie counties. Most of the nuisance bears were reported in Delaware and Greene counties.
With an increase in the state's bear population in recent decades, most of the region is open for bear hunting.
The DEC suggests the following measures to deter black bears:
"¢ Do not place food outdoors to attract raccoons, birds, squirrels or other wildlife. Bears destroying bird feeders is a common problem. Stop feeding birds when the snow melts in the spring.
"¢ Do not leave garbage where bears can get to it. Dispose of grease, fat, bacon and other meats in sealed containers.
"¢ Clean garbage cans frequently with ammonia or bleach.
"¢ Use plastic bags inside garbage cans to help hide odors.
"¢ Place camphor disks in garbage cans to mask food odors. Other items, including mothballs, air fresheners and ammonia-soaked rags, may also work.
"¢ Store garbage cans in a secure place, such as a garage, rather than on a porch. They can also be hung out of reach.
"¢ Clean refrigerators and other insulated containers left outside.
"¢ Remove grease from gas and charcoal grills after every use.
"¢ Clean barbecue pits and grills thoroughly before leaving them outside.
"¢ Turn off kitchen exhaust fans that vent to the outside.
"¢ Do not feed family pets outside.
"¢ If a bear becomes a problem, leave outdoor lights on or a radio playing all night.
Local News
Car strikes bear on Lettis Highway
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