Bear corpse could be mom of 3 dead cubs

KENAI - The corpse of a brown bear has been found in Sterling, and state Department of Fish and Game managers believe it's the mother of three cubs euthanized late last week.

Jeff Selinger, area wildlife manager with Fish and Game in Soldotna, said it appears the mother died from a bullet to the ribs. The agency collected DNA from her to see if it matches with the cubs who were deemed too young to survive on their own.

The sow is the fourth reproductive-aged female killed by a human this season on the Kenai Peninsula.

It's considered an illegal kill because the shooter did not report the incident.