5 black bears euthanized, 5 others relocated after officials find WA residents feeding them

Wash. officials euthanize 5 black bears

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington state wildlife officials say five black bears that were being fed by people on the Long Beach Peninsula had to be euthanized because they were too used to people.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife said Tuesday that agency officers and biologists relocated five other bears to Mount Rainier National Park. Meat from the euthanized bears was donated to an area food program.

Officials say most of the feeding was done at one house in Oysterville, where the resident told officers about spending $4,000 a year on dog food to feed the bears.

Neighbors called for help when more and more bears showed up looking for food.

Officials say bears that are too used to people are potentially dangerous and cannot be relocated.