Area authorities spent much of Thursday searching Midway for a wayward bear spotted in the morning near Medway Road and North Coastal Highway by a motorist.
The bear, an adult estimated to weigh 400 pounds, again was seen early in the afternoon near the Midway Industrial Park, but it ran into the woods. Authorities had planned to move it away from the general population.
“It is not our intention to kill it, but redirect the animal from this area back into the woods,” Midway Police Officer Mark Rich said.
After two more hours of looking, the search was called off because DNR personnel felt the animal would retreat deeper into the woods on its own and not pose a threat to humans.
Anyone who sees the bear still should call 911 with an approximate location.