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MARION, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio)-- A South Shore fan-favorite has been confirmed dead.
Nicknamed 'Boo Boo,' a black bear who was spotted in various locations across southeastern Massachusetts, passed away after being hit by a van on Interstate 195 in Marion.
The crash was initially reported on June 24, however Boo Boo was not at the scene.
On July 6, a Mass. Wildlife officer returned to the area for DNA testing and determined it was Boo Boo.
In the last two years, between June 2018 to July 2020, there have been 83 reported bear hittings by vehicles. The Mass. Wildlife stated that the bear population in Massachusetts continues to grow as there is plenty of natural habitat.
“The reason the bear was not relocated, is because its presence in the area does not constitute a public safety threat. Black bears are not inherently aggressive towards people and if people leave the bear alone, bears and people can peacefully coexist,” Mass. Wildlife said in a statement. "This bear’s travels through the region led to many people, including police departments, town officials and residents being educated on how to safely and successfully coexist with bears. I suspect it won’t be too long before another bear makes its way down here, and our Towns are that much more prepared to live with bears because of this experience."
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