Bear in Poughkeepsie

ELMER J. FUDD · June 11, 2010

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20100609/NEWS01/6090322/Bear-cub-captured-near-Walkway-after-sightings-in-city-at-Marist Bear cub captured near Walkway after sightings in city, at Marist Michael Woyton • Poughkeepsie Journal • June 9, 2010

A bear cub was captured in the City of Poughkeepsie Tuesday.

Michael Knipfing, spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Conservation, said an approximately 1 1/2-year-old, 115-pound male cub was captured from a tree over a stream on Brookside Avenue, near the Walkway Over the Hudson.

"He was successfully immobilized, weighed, tagged and tattooed," Knipfing said. The cub will be released in an undisclosed location.

Bear-cub spotting was going on in Poughkeepsie Monday and Tuesday, prompting residents to ensure they don't do anything to attract them.

John T. Gildard, director of safety and security at Marist College in the Town of Poughkeepsie, sent an e-mail Tuesday to faculty, alerting them to the sighting of a bear cub twice on Monday near St. Ann's Hermitage at the northern edge of the campus. He asked the faculty to refrain from unnecessary trips to the area temporarily.

Jason Anthony of Anthony's Bike Rental, across from the City of Poughkeepsie entrance to the Walkway Over the Hudson, said a bear cub walked into his shop around 1 p.m. Tuesday.

"At first, I thought it was a dog," Anthony said. "It took off running, and it scaled the side of the building."

He said he was not interested in having the bear come back.

"Not unless he is renting a bicycle," Anthony said.

Knipfing said the bear probably was looking for food. He said people should do everything they can to get rid of things that might attract bears.

Knipfing urged people who see bears in urban locations to call the DEC's regional Wildlife Bureau at 845-256-3098. Reach Michael Woyton at [email protected] or 845-451-4518.

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