Black bear struck at SML bridge expected to make full recovery

By ROB LYON, Smith Mountain Eagle

A black bear that was struck by a vehicle on Rt. 122 near Hales Ford Bridge last Wednesday is recovering at a wildlife center in Waynesboro.

Ed Clark, president of The Wildlife Center of Virginia, reported Monday that the approximately 150-pound animal suffered a fractured jaw and broken right front leg.

"The nice thing about black bears is they adjust their activity levels when they get injured," said Clark. The bear did not undergo surgery. Clark said the bear is eating and drinking water and is being allowed to rest and recuperate before it is returned to the wild.

The Wildlife Center has a special facility designed specifically for black bears, Clark explained. It allows caretakers to watch and feed the bears with minimal contact with humans.

Clark said the injured bear weighed about 150 pounds and is 18-24 months old.

The area around Hales Ford Bridge was abuzz Wednesday morning with the discovery of the injured black bear beneath the Bedford County approach to the bridge.

The bruin apparently had been stuck by a vehicle while it crossed Rt. 122. State Police and game wardens, who responded to the call of a businessperson who spotted the small bear, kept their distance until the arrival of wildlife experts to check on the condition of the animal.

They tranquilized the bear, who was then successfully transported to the wildlife rehabilitation center in Waynesboro.

"It looks like in this case, the bear can fully recover," said Clark. "We're very optimistic."

In a few weeks, personnel at the Wildlife Center will give the bear a followup exam to check on his recovery. Once the bear is declared healthy enough to be released, the center will coordinate the release with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Clark said he expects the bear to be taken to a remote area of the state, hopefully a location where the bear will be less likely to have another encounter with a vehicle.