Boy Scout leader under investigation in bear death

FILE PHOTO

EVANSTON (AP) – A Boy Scout leader’s fatal shooting of a black bear at a Scout camp in Utah is under investigation by wildlife officials.

Jodie Anderson of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources says the bear was lured to camp by food improperly left out by a troop Wednesday night at Utah’s Hinckley Scout Ranch near the Wyoming line.

She says wildlife officials had given a presentation to the Scouts earlier in the day about bear safety, including the need to properly store all food.

Rick Barnes of the Boys Scouts of America’s Great Salt Lake Council says the camp director was called to the site and found the bear eating a bag of candy bars on top of a picnic table.

The bear wouldn’t leave, and the decision was made to shoot the animal out of concern for about 500 Scouts in the camp.

Anderson says the wildlife division will turn over results of its investigation to the county attorney.

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