Media Center - Press Release
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FROM THE PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
Date: August 13, 2015
Contact: Julie Buchanan, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-2292, julie.buchanan@dcr.virginia.gov
Statement regarding Douthat State Park incident
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has received many inquiries about the Aug. 8 incident with the bear at Douthat State Park. All trails at the park are now open and the park’s going about business as usual.
From the very beginning, since the incident was first reported, we’ve been working with black bear experts from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF). The behavior of the bear described by the victim was extremely out of character for a healthy bear in the wild. There was concern that the bear could harm others, and the park was full of guests.
DGIF collected DNA samples from the bear and from the victim’s clothes. DGIF tracked the bear using dogs, and the bear was located very close to where the incident took place. The difficult decision was ultimately made to put the bear down. By doing so, the bear’s tissue can be tested for diseases, such as rabies. Everything has been sent to a lab for testing, which takes several days. We will let the public know as soon as those results are back from the lab.
The bear was a female. She did have cubs, which biologists determined were old enough to take care of themselves. This was also a factor in the decision to put the bear down.
No one at the park or at DGIF took this situation lightly. When one of our guests is hurt, it’s a very serious matter. Public safety was the main concern. We will use this site to keep the public informed as additional information becomes available.
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