A man was warned -- but not cited -- by Oregon State Police after taking a bear cub from a trail near Salem, Oregon, on Monday evening.
KOIN News reported that Corey Hancock was a few miles into the Santiam River Trail when he came across the baby bear cub in distress. He was barely breathing and not responsive, Hancock said. He named him Elkhorn.
The cub was taken to the Turtle Ridge Wildlife Center in Salem, where he was cared for before being taken by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Michelle Dennehy, the wildlife communications coordinator with ODFW, said Hancock should not have moved the bear. Oregon State Police spoke with Hancock and said due to him taking the cub to help it without knowledge the mother may have been nearby, a criminal citation wasn’t issued.
The bear cub’s health is still being evaluated by ODFW veterinarians.
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