ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) – An American black bear spotted in Anderson County was once again spotted in Anderson County, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) said it never left.
New images captured on a game camera Wednesday show the same black bear knocking over the same deer feeder as in previous photographs of the bear’s sighting near Palestine. A separate photo of bear tracks was provided by TWPD.
TPWD District Biologist Rueben Gay said the bear never left, noting it continues to travel along the Neches River corridor from U.S. Highway 79, down to State Highway 294 through Anderson, Cherokee and Houston counties.
Gay said recent reports in May have been predominantly coming from Anderson County, particularly communities along the west side of the Neches River.
“It’s exciting to have it here,” Gay said in a previous report. “Every day it’s like you’re just waiting on that call, whether a new encounter, new observation, so we can get, hopefully get some more data on it.”
Last year, there were 55 sightings of the bear, Gay said. While the animal is still young, Gay expects it could fully mature by mid-summer.
“Based off reports, this bear is still shy and afraid of humans,” Gay said after a previous sighting, urging the public to report sightings to a county biologist or game warden.
Killing, harassing or harming an American black bear is a violation of federal and state law. Penalties can include fines up to $12,000 and possible jail time.
Bear tracks. new camera images confirm American black bear still in East Texas(KLTV)
Bear tracks. new camera images confirm American black bear still in East Texas(KLTV)
Bear tracks. new camera images confirm American black bear still in East Texas(Texas Parks and Wildlife)Related:
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