The Pennsylvania Sport Fee confirmed that the black bear that attacked a person over the weekend in Jim Thorpe examined constructive for rabies.
The incident occurred on Sunday, Jan. 19, as Jim Thorpe resident Andrew Neirer was strolling to the shop on a path close to his home.
Whereas Neirer was in the course of the trail, he noticed the bear. He informed WBRE-TV, an NBC affiliate, that he tried to stroll away, however the bear got here in direction of him. A neighbor — who noticed the assault — sprung into motion, grabbed a gun and shot and killed the bear.
A spokesperson for the Sport Fee mentioned black bears, underneath regular circumstances, are usually not aggressive towards individuals. Whereas rabies in bears is uncommon, and a case rising in a given space is normally remoted, rabies poses a threat to all mammals.
Neirer shared that he was doing okay after the assault and believed the animal was simply on the lookout for meals.
Officers mentioned anybody who observes wildlife performing abnormally ought to report it to the Pennsylvania Sport Fee at 1-833-PGC-WILD.
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