Falling bear killed on Colorado highway

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BOULDER, Colo., May 4 (UPI) -- A bear that became famous after it was tranquilized and fell from a tree on the University of Colorado campus, has died after being hit by a car, officials say.

The black bear was photographed by CU student Andy Duann April 26 as it fell from a tree after being tranquillized for relocation, The Boulder (Colo.) Daily Camera reported.

The bear was hit by a car and died Thursday morning on U.S. highway 36, said Jennifer Churchill, spokeswoman for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

"It's a bummer. It's so hard to go through this and not be able to give these bears a good place to live," Churchill said. "The community sees relocating bears as a kind of perfect solution, and unfortunately it's a really difficult proposition."

Churchill said officials identified the bear by an ear tag put on it by authorities at CU.

Colorado State Patrol Trooper Josh Lewis said two cars were involved in the collision, which resulted in minor injuries to one of the drivers.

Churchill said she hopes Boulder residents will keep the incident in mind -- and will clean up trash and other items around their homes that attract bears.

"[With] Boulder in particular, once [a bear] hits town and they start getting to food sources in town, they become a town bear," she said. "We need everybody to clean up every attractant they can, especially trash and bird feeders and any other food sources outside their homes."