A bear was struck and killed on Interstate 395 near the Pentagon over the last weekend, an incident marking an increase in wildlife encounters within the Arlington area. Virginia State Police were alerted on Saturday afternoon after a driver spotted the deceased bear by the roadside near exit 8C, as confirmed by FOX 5 DC.
Upon arrival at the scene, a state trooper verified the presence of a dead bear and immediately reached out to Arlington County Animal Control for assistance in removing the animal. Later that evening, authorities received a call from an individual claiming to have hit the bear. The caller reported not stopping due to feeling unwell and was confirmed to have not sustained injuries, according to Patch.
This incident is the latest in a series of bear sightings and interactions with traffic in the region this spring. Authorities are urging drivers to be more vigilant due to an apparent rise in wildlife on the move across the urban landscape.
Concern over these encounters was heightened last month when an Arlington resident, along with her son, discovered an illegally dumped carcass of a bear that had been struck by a vehicle on Interstate 66. The ongoing pattern of bear fatalities reflects a troubling intersection of human encroachment and wildlife habitats, as detailed in a report by WUSA9.
As the city grapples with the implications of these events, local wildlife agencies are stressing the importance of reporting such incidents promptly and are examining measures to mitigate future occurrences to ensure the safety of both the animals and motorists.
