Police: Bear spotted in Delaware died trying to cross highway

The bear that captivated Delawareans this week has died, state police said.

The animal was struck and killed by a vehicle while attempting to cross Route 1 in the area of School Bell Road near Bear, Del., around 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said the Delaware Department of Transportation has removed the animal from the roadway. The driver who hit the bear was not injured.

The bear was first spotted in western Newark on Friday and Saturday, showing up in back yards along Julie Lane in Barksdale Estates.

Later sightings were reported in Scottfield and Bear.

Wildlife biologists from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will conduct an examination of the deceased bear to try to determine where it originated, its age, sex and other information that might be helpful in tracking other transient black bears that venture into Delaware from surrounding states that have resident black bear populations.

The expansion of black bear populations in neighboring states such as Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania has led to occasional sightings in Delaware, officials said.

“We understand the community’s interest in the bear,’” said Joe Rogerson, a DNREC wildlife biologist. “It’s always unfortunate when wildlife is lost in such a manner. Our team will be examining the bear to gather information.”