A bear struck by a vehicle early Friday morning in Stephens County was later euthanized by wildlife officials after sustaining life-threatening injuries and posing a potential public safety risk.
According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded around 5:30 a.m. on April 25 to a report of a motor vehicle collision involving an animal near the intersection of Prather Bridge Road and Lake Louise Road. A female driver told authorities she struck a bear with her vehicle approximately an hour earlier, around 4:30 a.m.
By 7 a.m., Stephens County 911 dispatchers began receiving additional reports from residents who spotted the injured bear attempting to climb an embankment in the same area.
Deputies and Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Rangers quickly located the animal, which was estimated to weigh around 300 pounds. Rangers determined the bear had suffered severe injuries that it would not survive. Due to its condition and potential threat to the public, officials made the decision to humanely euthanize the animal on site.
According to DNR Ranger T.R. Dooley, a bear can enter fight-or-flight mode when injured.
“Someone could have been seriously hurt if the bear stayed alive in the condition it was in,” Dooley said.
Dooley emphasized that the action was necessary to protect the public and prevent further suffering for the bear.
With spring bringing warmer temperatures, wildlife officials are urging residents to be mindful of increased bear activity as the animals emerge from hibernation in search of food, water, and shelter.
To minimize bear encounters, residents are advised to secure trash bins, pet food and bird seed in wildlife-proof containers.
Anyone who sees a bear or is involved in a wildlife-related incident is encouraged to call Stephens County 911 for assistance.
