The wounded grizzly bear that eluded conservation officers after it was shot initially was killed last Sunday night, conservation officer Kris Gustafson said today.

Gustafson said in an interview that conservation officers received a report late last week from a resident who witnessed the bear crossing the road near the Whitehorse landfill.

Officers investigated and confirmed the presence of the same large bear tracks that were found Sept. 29. A bear had been shot early one morning while rummaging through garbage cans behind Yukon College.

Gustafson said officers placed a baited, elevated bear snare in an area around the dump and baited additional areas.

The bear was shot at 10:15 pm. while moving in on a bait site, Gustafson explained.

After the bear was originally shot, and wounded, the Department of Environment asked area residents to stay away from walking trails for a time.

The ban was lifted a week later, after no further sign of the animal could be found, despite regular patrols by conservation officers.

Communications spokesman Dennis Senger said today news of the dead bear was not released until final approval of the announcement was received this morning.

Gustafson said the bear, judging by the wear on its teeth, was likely in its late teens or early 20s, but was significantly undernourished.

'There was no fat on him,' Gustafson said. 'And bears should be fat, especially now.'

The actual age, he said, will be confirmed once lab tests on the bear's teeth are completed.

With a distinguishable seven-inch (18-cm) paw, the bear was substantial in size and frame, but weighed 440 pounds instead of the 600-plus it should have under normal conditons, Gustafson said.

The bear was shot initially through the shoulder area, but would likely have survived the wound under ordinary circumstances as the bullet passed right through him.

Even without the wound, however, it's quite likely the bear would not have survived the winter, he said.

Gustafson said officers did find one location in the electric fencing around the dump where the bear gained entry.