A homeless man crafted a machete-like blade and speared a bear cub that was searching for food on Friday morning at an illegal camp site in Anchorage.
David Tandler, 49, told officers he was worried it would harm children inside the tent, Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said in an email to The Associated Press.
No children were present at the camp site when troopers arrived.
Tandler picked up the spear, which he had earlier prepared for protection by attaching the long knife blade to the branch, said Dave Battle, the Anchorage-area biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Battle said Tandler threw the spear at the cub, hitting it in the side.
The bear ran for about 20 yards before collapsing and dying.
‘It’s the first time I’ve run across the spearing of a bear,’ Battle said.
Authorities determined the bear kill was legal under the state’s defense of life and property law.
Tandler was issued a $310 citation for negligent feeding of wildlife because food and garbage was present at the illegal camp site and that is what attracted the bears.
Read More: Hand-made spear used to kill Anchorage bear at homeless camp; man cited
