I'll see your Bobby Bare and raise you double

Maine bear relocated, travels 1,000 miles to get back home.

CONCORD, N.H. — A bear whose life was spared two years ago by New Hampshire’s governor has returned to her home turf near Dartmouth College after traveling thousands of miles since her relocation last June.

The state’s Fish and Game Department had decided to euthanize the female black bear and three of her young offspring in 2017 after repeated problems with them feeding from trash and bird feeders culminated with two bears entering a home in Hanover. But after a public outcry, Republican Gov. Chris Sununu ordered the animals relocated instead.

….. She [Mama Bear, “Mink”] was tagged, fitted with a tracking collar and moved about 120 miles north to a sparsely populated location near the Canadian border.

But last week, Mink made it back to Hanover after traveling a looping route through New Hampshire and Vermont. Andrew Timmins, the bear project leader with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, said Monday that he’s been in regular contact with the governor’s office and a local bear rehabilitator — and all agree there’s no need to take further action at this time.

“This bear has shown us where she wants to be, so let’s see if we can do a better job coexisting with her by being more vigilant with food attractants,” Timmins said.

…. “My sense is she’ll wander off and find another bear to hang out with,” said Sununu, who stands by his decision to intervene.