Wildlife Department investigating bear found mutilated on Highway 14

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - The state's Department of Fish and Wildlife today is investigating the mutilation of a young bear after it was struck by a vehicle on Highway 14 in Canyon County.

The department said Caltrans workers found the bear, which is believed to have been 2 years old and around 150 pounds, on the 14 near Sand Canyon Road. Its four paws and gallbladder had been removed.

Buying or selling bear parts is illegal in California. Bear gallbladders, which are believed to have medicinal or aphrodisiac powers, can sell for thousands of dollars on the black market, and bear paws can be cooked and eaten.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to call Fish and Wildlife investigators at (888) 334-2258.

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