Bear finds love in Wisconsin?
He's still alive and well.
The black bear that made headlines for his nearly 300-mile trek across Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin did not die in La Crosse, Wis., officials say.
Instead, state workers shot and killed a different -- and lesser known -- black bear in a picnic area near La Crosse.
"We're pretty certain that was not the same bear," said Terry Haindfield, Iowa Department of Natural Resources wildlife biologist.
This comes as a relief to Haindfield, who monitored the bear's progress across the tri-state area.
"You get a little attached," he said.
The bear appeared in Dubuque and Bellevue, as well as Stockton, Ill., and Darlington, Wis. He was last spotted on June 22 in Baraboo.
The bear, who is estimated to be about 2 years old, is said to have been wandering about looking for love. June is the month black bears typically breed. It seems the romantic quest could have its happily ever after.
Officials last spotted the bear in Baraboo, Wis., and he has yet to be seen since, which causes Haindfield to consider the possibility that the bear has settled. "I kept teasing the locals that this bear wasn't looking for honey as much as he was looking for a honey," he said.
(Photo Credit: Gary Lackie)
