A bear cub was discovered dead in New York's Central Park yesterday morning — and police believe it was likely “murdered”, the New York Post is reporting.
The black bear’s mutilated remains were found under a bush at the foot of a Civil War monument near West 69th Street and West Drive by two women walking their dogs at around 9.30am.
“I thought it was a raccoon,” said Florence Slatkin, 79. “When I looked closer, it wasn’t moving ... but my friend thought it was a bear.”
The New York Police Department’s Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad said the bear appears to have been slashed and stabbed.
Bears are not known to live in the park at the centre of one of America's most densely populated cities. It is not legal for them to be kept as pets, and none were reported missing from local zoos.
Patrick Thomas, associate director of the city's Bronx Zoo, told the New York Times bears once lived in New York City but had not in a long time. He said a bear was recorded shot in New York in 1630.
Police suspect the bear was killed elsewhere and then dumped on the park grounds. They are still carrying out their investigation.
