Necropsy: Euthanized bear had brain tumor

Bear recaptured in Green Cove Springs on Monday night

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – The bear captured by wildlife authorities last week in Jacksonville Beach and released in Camp Blanding was euthanized Tuesday, and preliminary results of a necropsy showed it had a brain tumor.

The bear was recaptured Tuesday in a Green Cove Springs neighborhood and returned to Camp Blanding. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said it was walking awkwardly on its back legs and appeared dazed and lethargic.

After a veterinarian looked at the bear, officials decided to put it down.

"This morning, he appeared dazed, he had his head down. I mean, it just looked like he was suffering and it was very sad," FWC spokeswoman Karen Parker said.

Authorities said the bear was spotted twice in southern Clay County -- more than 20 miles from Camp Blanding -- before people on Pine Hollow Road in Green Cove Springs reported the bear was in their neighborhood.

"I opened the front door, there was a bear in the front yard," said Betty Burchett. "I politely closed the door and I called 911."

Burchett's 9-year-old daughter was not as calm.

"I think it was actually pretty exciting, but scary because this is a private road and we don't that much excitement that much," Bethany said.

FWC officers were able to identify the black bear by the ear tag and tattooed lips it was given during its first capture last week.

"It's kind of odd to see this big of a bear react like that," Parker said. "To be placed in perfect bear habitat out here and to leave that and go back into an urban area, that was a little strange."

The bear was transported back to Camp Blanding on Tuesday morning, where it was euthanized.

"My folks hate doing that. They're bear conservationists, they love bears. But when you look at the whole situation, to end suffering, that's the best course of action," Parker said.