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Fish and Game to relocate, not euthanize bears

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A family of bears - a sow and three yearlings -- entered a home in Hanover, probably in search of food. This raised concerns that the bears had become “habituated” and that they would repeat the behavior of trying to get into homes to find food.

In response, N.H. Fish and Game officials said that once caught, per policy for habituated bears, they would be euthanized. There is concern of such bears coming in conflict with humans, potentially with harmful results.

News of the pending plight of the animals prompted an online petition and, ultimately, the intervention of Gov. Christopher Sununu..He spoke to Fish and Game officials and got them to agree to trap the animals and relocate them to an unpopulated area of the North Country. The three juveniles have since been captured and relocated; game officials are still looking for the mother.

Supporters of the governor’s efforts say relocation is a humane way to treat the mom and three cubs. They also point out that people who live in bear country need to be better educated about how to minimize the risks of attracting hungry bears to their property. Bird feeders and unsecured garbage are often cited as reasons why bears wander close to homes.

Opponents argue that the governor was improperly undermining Fish and Game policy. Some experts also say there is no guarantee that the relocated bears will stay put since bears are known to travel 80 to 100 miles in a couple of days.

In defending its euthanization policy, Fish and Game said the state “has one of the best bear-human conflict mitigation programs in the Northeast and probably the country. Our efforts have been particularly effective because of the department's partnership with USDA Wildlife Services. We are one of the few Northeastern states that have stabilized bear-human conflicts."

Do you agree with the decision to relocate rather than euthanize the bears? Let us know in the comments section below.

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