A bear lying in the median on Highway 1 in Abbotsford that caused traffic mayhem Tuesday (Oct. 3) had to be euthanized.
Passing motorists reported seeing the injured black bear poking its head up from a grassy median before 8 a.m.
Abbotsford Police Department members arrived to find a bear “that appeared to have been struck by a vehicle,” and had sustained serious injuries, said Const. Art Stele, media relations officer for Abby PD.
They had received numerous reports from people who spotted the bear, east of Whatcom Road, from about 7:37 a.m.
The BC Conservation Officer Service reports that police and COS had immediately responded to the highway incident to “ensure public safety and the highway was temporarily shut down,” according to a statement from COS.
Conservation officers assessed the condition of the animal that had been injured and not moving.
“The bear was euthanized due to its injuries.”
At 8:42 a.m. highway traffic was cleared and the hazard removed, police said.
The highway re-opened a short time later.
The factors that lead to the bear being on the highway are still unknown.
✅#BCHwy1 - Eastbound wildlife incident has cleared. All lanes available. #AbbotsfordBC https://t.co/rthJk0qMew
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) October 3, 2023
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