STANWOOD — The bear’s sweet tooth got the best of him.
The black bear that had been grazing in the I-5 median east of Stanwood decided Thursday night that the grass wasn’t enough.
He walked into a trap baited with doughnuts and maple syrup, and on Friday wildlife officials drove him to a wilderness area near Mount Baker and dropped him off.
He was caught around midnight, Sgt. Randy Lambert of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said Friday.
The bear was almost caught a short time earlier but the door on the trap slammed shut before he could get inside, Lambert said.
The bear was still trying to get into the trap when officials with the Stillaguamish Indian Tribe arrived, shooed him off and reset the trap door.
Soon, the door closed again, this time with the bear inside.
“He really wanted the bait,” Lambert said.
The bear was kept overnight at the Stillaguamish Tribal Police station and officials then drove him north on Friday.
The bear was in good shape, Lambert said.
“He’s a young one, he’s not as big as everyone thought, 125 to 150 pounds, male,” and about 2 or 3 years old, he said.
The bear was first spotted in the wide median near milepost 214 on Sunday, with several drivers calling 911 to report his presence. It’s believed the same bear called the median home around the same time last year. Officials tried to trap the bear last year without success.
About 6,000 black bears live in the North Cascades, according to bear experts. They typically come out of winter hibernation this time of year and begin looking for good food sources.
Homeowners are reminded to bring in garbage, barbecues and bird feeders that might attract wild animals to residential areas.
The bear was tranquilized on the trip to Whatcom County and wildlife officials then pulled him out of the trap and attached a tag to his ear, Lambert said.
They then waited until he woke up and moved on before leaving the scene.
“He’s going to be a fine little bear up there,” Lambert said.
Reporter Jackson Holtz contributed to this story.
Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.
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