Bear that wandered into campsite captured, killed

BRANCHVILLE — Environmental officials say the black bear that wandered into a campsite in the Stokes State Forest this week has been captured and euthanized. DEP spokesman Lawrence Hajna says the 18-month-old male bruin was caught in a snare around 10:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, not far from the campsite in Sussex County. Hajna said last Saturday that the bear was euthanized because it was classified as a “Category I” bruin, meaning it posed a threat to public safety or property. Officials initially believed the bear had injured two young campers early the previous Wednesday while it was searching for food near the campsite. But it was later determined that the bear was not responsible for the abrasions sustained by the 11- and 12-year-old boys.