Bear hibernates in drain tunnel

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VESPER, Wis., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said it will not disturb a black bear that picked a drain tunnel to hibernate.

Officials said the bear, which took up residence in the drain tunnel in the Town of Vesper, likely picked the spot because it's dry and warm, WITI-TV, Milwaukee, reported Monday.

"A lot of the hibernation dens are quite obvious to the visible eye. Generally, black bears are fairly submissive. Their first instinct will be to turn and run away from people. So it would be very unusual, especially in the state of Wisconsin, for a bear to attack anyone," said Courtney Schaefer, a DNR wildlife biologist.

DNR officials said the drain could be the bear's home for up to four months.