If the OT Association has any control over how a situation like this is handled in the future, I would suggest trying a more humane approach the next time and to educate the construction workers and residents of OT on how to properly dispose of food. This would help the public relations image of OT, so that people don’t assume OT is guilty out of association.

As development in the Crozet area comes closer and closer to the Shenendoah, I think this will continue to be a bigger issue. It’s one more in a whole long list of reasons that we should do more to encourage redevelopment, instead of green field development.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries confirmed Thursday afternoon that the orphaned black bear yearling cub that was spotted roaming around Old Trail Village in Crozet was euthanized because it had become too accustomed to humans.

The yearling cub has not been seen around the Crozet subdivision since it was photographed on Friday, April 2. Officials say the cub was caught that day.

“Well, I’m sort of glad because of the neighborhood and a lot of kids are playing here. But just to take it to a safe environment, not to harm it or anything,” said Sandra Terrell, who spotted the bear last week.

CBS19 Bianca Spinosa reports the healthy little bear made a home for itself in the Old Trail area because it was being fed by construction workers on their lunch break. While the workers obviously meant well, feeding bears in the Commonwealth of Virginia is actually illegal.

Most bears fed by humans have to be euthanized.

Game officials say putting down a bear is a last resort. Bears are naturally shy and tend to avoid people, but once they are fed they become quite aggressive.

Specialists say they had to put the yearling cub down or else it would continue to approach people for food, which could create a dangerous situation if young children are around.

Still, Old Trail residents wish there was another solution.
From newsplex website..
“I’d just like to think he would be captured and something done with the bear. Just relocate it. I hate to hear that he was possibly euthanized. It’s horrible to think of that,” said Todd Pullen.

Officials say in most cases they relocate the bear, however in this situation the little creature had just become too accustomed to humans.

Please don’t freak out because you saw some bears. They live here, too, and that’s a good thing indicating a relatively healthy environment, not a bad thing. Bears are omnivores which means they eat everything. They are also well known for eating garbage so your garbage needs to be dealt with smartly. Buy or build a lockable, sturdy enclosure for your garbage cans. Put your garbage cans out for collection as close to collection time as possible the morning of collection, not the night before. Don’t store any food outside. If you have dumpsters, close the doors/lids and make sure your neighbors do the same. The bears, as with any wild animals, are not really interested in confrontations with humans. Don’t bother them and they won’t bother you. If you see a cub that means the mother is nearby. Don’t approach the cub thinking of it like a cuddly teddy bear. The mother bear may perceive you as a threat and act defensively of her cub. That would not be her fault, but yours for not avoiding close contact with the cub. Watch from inside and wait for them to go away. If the bears are hanging around residential neighborhoods they are probably looking for and finding garbage or food stored outside that is easy pickings. Everybody has to act smart and preventatively or the bears will continue to be seen in residential neighborhoods. They would prefer to stay more hidden in the wild, but will not turn down an easy meal of garbage or food stored outside. If you do happen to see them ransacking your garbage don’t go out and try to scare them away. Leave them alone and then take care of securing your garbage in a sturdy enclosure for next time. If you know what to do and what not to do with regard to bears and other wild animals you’re going to be alright and so will they. Advise all your neighbors to follow the same advice.