Young Bear Hit, Killed On Freeway Near Cabazon: CHP

CABAZON, CA — A young black bear was found dead along a Southern California freeway on Thursday and officials say it may have been looking for new territory when it was hit and killed. The carcass was found early along the center median of the westbound side of Interstate 10 in the Cabazon area, near Haugen-Lehmann Way, according to the California Highway Patrol.

"Sometime during the night this animal was struck by an unknown westbound vehicle," the CHP said in a news release. "Witnesses began reporting the deceased bear after sunrise."

The CHP said the bear's body was taken to a "remote area" where biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife examined it.

"Experts say this bear was approximately two years old and may have been on a quest to find new territory," the CHP said.

The CHP also shared the following information in a Facebook post about the incident:

Presently, the statewide black bear population is conservatively estimated to be between 30,000 and 40,000. Though well at home today in the San Bernardino area mountains north of I-10, it is rare when these animals attempt to cross the freeway. Biologists say there is not an established population of black bears in the San Jacinto Mountains south of I-10, but evidence shows they may be migrating to the area. Black bears can be black, blue-black, dark brown, brown, cinnamon and even white.