Tony Overman/The Olympian
A bear, shown Friday near the freeway in Tumwater, was last seen Sunday.

Bear remains on lam

N.S. NOKKENTVED, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published August 7, 2001

TUMWATER -- A black bear that had freeway drivers pulling off to stop and look last week remains on the loose.

It was last seen Sunday around 116th Street, south of Tumwater. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife had no reported sightings Monday, Fish and Wildlife officer Greg Haw said.

Last week, officials were trying to trap the 150- to 200-pound adult black bear foraging near the freeway at 93rd Avenue. Fish and Wildlife set up traps that still were up Monday evening.

"There's been no action on the traps," Fish and Wildlife spokesman Craig Bartlett said late Monday.

Earlier this year, a black bear was seen near Black Lake Elementary School. Fish and Wildlife officials set out a trap for it, but it left the area of its own accord. Last month, they trapped a bear near 88th Street in Tumwater and relocated it.

The black bear caused a stir this past week when motorists on Interstate 5 stopped to gawk at the bear foraging along the highway.

There's lots of roadkill along the freeway and lots of berries in the brush.

Bartlett advised residents to keep their garbage and pet food enclosed or in the garage.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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