Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Bear Seeking Treats Bites Boy in Tent

Bear Seeking Treats Bites Boy in Tent

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Sep 19, 4:38 PM (ET)

ALBRIGHTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - The state Game Commission is setting traps in Hickory Run State Park after a bear bit a 12-year-old camping with his Boy Scout troop.

The bear entered the boy's tent Sunday night and bit down on his sleeping bag, probably trying to get candy bars and cereal hidden there, but bit the boy instead, Tim Conway, a game commission spokesman, said Tuesday.

The boy was treated at Blue Mountain Health Systems' Gnaden Huetten campus in Lehighton and released.

"The bear took off when the boy screamed," Conway said.

For that reason, game officials think the bear was after treats and are not considering the bite an attack, he said.

Conway said the bear could not be identified, but game officials will trap as many bears as possible and transport them away from the park.

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Information from: The Morning Call, http://www.mcall.com