By Cliff Hightower
Staff Writer
A second bear trapped by wildlife officers in the Cherokee National Forest, near where an Ohio family was attacked almost two months ago, tested positive for human DNA underneath its claws, state wildlife officials said today.
Ron Fox, assistant director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, said the bear had been euthanized this week. A first bear captured had been killed soon after the incident, and subjected to tests.
Mr. Fox said further studies will be conducted and a necropsy will be performed on the second bear later this week at the University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, he said.
The black bear attack took place on April 13 in the Chilhowee Recreation area of the national forest, about 22 miles east of Cleveland.
Susan Cenkus, 45, and her son, Luke, 2, of Clyde, Ohio, were injured, and Ms. Cenkus’ 6-year-old daughter, Elora Petrasek, was killed when the bear attacked then near a popular wading area of the recreation area.
E-mail Cliff Hightower at chightower@timesfreepress.com
See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
Staff Writer
A second bear trapped by wildlife officers in the Cherokee National Forest, near where an Ohio family was attacked almost two months ago, tested positive for human DNA underneath its claws, state wildlife officials said today.
Ron Fox, assistant director of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, said the bear had been euthanized this week. A first bear captured had been killed soon after the incident, and subjected to tests.
Mr. Fox said further studies will be conducted and a necropsy will be performed on the second bear later this week at the University of Tennessee School of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville, he said.
The black bear attack took place on April 13 in the Chilhowee Recreation area of the national forest, about 22 miles east of Cleveland.
Susan Cenkus, 45, and her son, Luke, 2, of Clyde, Ohio, were injured, and Ms. Cenkus’ 6-year-old daughter, Elora Petrasek, was killed when the bear attacked then near a popular wading area of the recreation area.
E-mail Cliff Hightower at chightower@timesfreepress.com
See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
