A bizarre incident in a Pennsylvania church parking lot has been resolved, with authorities revealing the cause of death of four bears found deceased on the premises. The West Wyoming Borough Police Department was initially called to St. Monica’s Parish to investigate the discovery of three dead bear cubs and their massive 300-pound mother.
The police department collaborated with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to determine the cause of death, which was initially deemed suspicious due to the absence of visible injuries or trauma. The Game Commission sought the public’s assistance in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the bears’ deaths.
Following a thorough investigation, including post-mortem examinations and toxicological testing, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced that the bears’ deaths were likely caused by poisoning. The four bears were found dead in or around the same tree, with no evidence of thrashing or stumbling in the area, suggesting that they died suddenly.
Further examination of the bears’ stomach contents revealed that they had recently consumed leaves and seeds of an English yew plant, which contains a toxic compound called taxine. This toxin is cardiotoxic, impacting the heart’s ability to beat properly, and its toxicity level increases during the winter months.
The investigation ruled out other potential causes of death, including pesticides, euthanasia agents, and environmental contaminants. The presence of the English yew leaves and seeds in the bears’ stomachs led authorities to conclude that plant toxin poisoning was the cause of their deaths.
The resolution of this mysterious incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being aware of the potential dangers of certain plants and taking steps to prevent accidental ingestion.
