NEW CASTLE, DE—A black bear, recently sighted in the Newark area and popularly dubbed “Delabear” on social media, was fatally struck by a vehicle on Tuesday evening, around 11 p.m., on Route 1 near School Bell Road. The Delaware Natural Resources Police (DNRP) reported the incident, which drew immediate responses from the Delaware State Police and the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) who removed the bear from the roadway.
DNREC wildlife biologists are set to examine the bear to gather critical data such as its origin, age, and sex. This information will aid in understanding the movement of transient black bears into Delaware from states with established black bear populations like Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Joe Rogerson, a DNREC wildlife biologist, expressed regret over the incident, noting the community’s keen interest in the local wildlife.
The examination aims to provide insights that could help in managing and tracking the movements of other black bears that may venture into the state. The increasing sightings in Delaware highlight the expansion of black bear populations in the surrounding regions, capturing both public interest and concern.