The black bear cited near Newark was struck and killed by a car Tuesday night in, well, Bear.
Delabear, the black bear spotted in Newark Saturday and killed Tuesday night on Route 1 in New Castle, was memorialized Thursday in resolution which urged drivers to be on the lookout for wildlife.
House Resolution 33, sponsored by Rep. Sophie Phillips, D-Christiana, and Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, said the House “mourns the loss of this majestic creature” also urged developers, residents and state agencies to consider nature and the wildlife when moving forward with development projects.
Phillips noted that the bear seen in Newark was quickly dubbed Delabear on social media, as were other bears discovered wandering around Delaware, usually from across a state line.
“As someone who has studied bears and loved them so much, I was extremely excited to hear this news,” said Phillips in introducing the resolution.
This year’s Delabear was spotted in Ogletown and then the community of Bear before dying.
Loss of Delabear
The resolution said that the House was relieved that there were no injuries to the occupants of the vehicle and mourned the loss of Delabear.
“We want to capture this viral moment to bring attention to an important topic,” Phillips said. “It’s imperative to protect drivers and wildlife on our roadways as much as possible.”
It urged drivers to keep an eye out for wildlife on roads.
“It is imperative to protect drivers and wildlife on our roadways as much as possible,” the resolution said.
The General Assembly passed a series of legislative initiatives to improve the safety of Delaware’s roads, the resolution said.
“It is the continuing mission of the House of Representatives to improve road safety and protect our wildlife,” the resolution said, “and it is important that we ensure wildlife is safe and that as we encroach on wildlife habitats that we are taking the necessary steps to protect nature and create a harmonious coexistence.
The resolution passed on a voice vote, with a clear majority answering aye when Longhurst called for a vote on the Delabear resolution.
She asked for nay votes, surprised to hear a few booming nos.
“What!” Longhurst exclaimed.
Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.
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