Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, June 26, 1995                   TAG: 9506260173
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

COUNTY'S UNWELCOME VISITOR WAS WILD, BUT NOT GRIZZLY

The big male bear showed up near the Blue Jay-Budget Host Inn Saturday evening, said officer D.H. Cushman of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

"This is the time of year for them," he said. "It's way easy pickins for them. They smell people's garbage and all the barbecues and get into everybody's dog food and cat food."

When Roanoke County police arrived at the scene Saturday, Cushman said, a crowd of people was no more than 20 yards from the bear, which was lying on its side. Cushman said the bear was unusually complacent, possibly because it was sick or injured.

Two state wildlife biologists were called in to tranquilize the bear, but it spooked when they moved in on it. So they waited until Sunday morning when they could get a clear shot.

Cushman said the bear would likely be examined to make sure it was in good health, then tagged and released.

It was at least the second time this year a bear has strayed into an occupied area. A few weeks ago, a bear that made its way into an inhabited area in Catawba was shot by a resident. Cushman said charges for the shooting are pending against the man.

Cushman said rural residents can avoid run-ins with bears and other wildlife simply by keeping their trash in a garage and not feeding their pets outdoors.

"People need to understand that the bears were here long before we were," he said.