By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Environment agencies in Gangwon Province may have to shoot dead a female Manchurian black bear which has been living in the woods of the province since escaping from a nearby farm about two years ago.
The Wonju Regional Environment Office in Gangwon Province said it must put people's safety and property ahead of protection of the animal.
The bear escaped from a farm in 2007, surviving on honey and other foods from farms in areas around Chuncheon and Wonju.
Farmers and local residents said the animal has caused widespread damage to their property, leading to the formation of a nightly ``patrol'' group to guard against ``attack'' in recent months, according to Chuncheon City.
The animal has left behind only small traces of its presence and attempted traps have failed.
Residents and visitors say they fear climbing area's mountains in case they are confronted by the now ``wild animal,'' according to the city.
Regional environmental agencies, civic group Korea Wild Animal and the Plant Service Association along with other experts are to carry out the shooting, though a final attempt to catch the bear alive will be made.
Local residents have welcomed the decision.
Manchurian black bears are on the verge of extinction and natural monument No. 329.
The ministry has imported 27 from North Korea and the Maritime Province of Siberia since 2004 as part of a restoration project.
However, those bred at farms are ``hybrids,'' which are genetically different from those that are government-protected, environmental officials said. They are bred for meat and gall, which is believed to be good for men's stamina.