Bear kills hunting dog during wildlife management operation in Rautavaara, North Savo

A bear killed a hunting dog involved in a wildlife management operation on Sunday in Rautavaara, North Savo, according to the Eastern Finland Police. The Rautavaara game management association was tasked with scaring off the bear from Marjomäentie, where it had been attracted to a beehive located in the yard over several days. The police had decided on the bear’s removal the previous Saturday.

On Sunday morning, wildlife management operators located the bear approximately 600 meters from the property. They initiated the bear dispersal with the help of two hunting dogs. However, the bear was reluctant to move away from the area and killed one of the plot hounds involved in the operation.

Undeterred, the wildlife management team continued the task using the remaining dog. They eventually managed to get the bear moving, concluding the dispersal operation in the afternoon about 5.5 kilometers from the starting point.