Local
Driver OK after vehicle hits bear near Sparta
Normally we hear of car-deer crashes along the highways and roads in Western Wisconsin.
Occasionally, though, there are other, larger animals hit by passing vehicles.
That’s what happened Thursday, when an SUV stuck and killed a black bear.
Rush Hour Towing of Sparta posted pictures of a crash from Thursday night east of Sparta on I-90.
The driver didn’t have any injuries, but the vehicle’s front end suffered quite a bit of damage in the collision.
The towing company estimated the bear was between 375-400 pounds.
The post said it has responded to car-vs.-bear crashes over the past four years, most have been in the same area.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, there are about 24,000 black bears in the state. Bears are more common in the northern part of the state although in the last several years, there’s been an increase in sightings in the southern portion.
The DNR said that this is the time of year, after emerging from their winter dens, bears are looking for food and new territory.
For example, Osseo Police had reports of one in town on April 15.
Bears can smell seven times better than bloodhounds according to BearWise.
