Wednesday, April 29, 1998
What ever happened to the bear that was seen over the years by hikers in the mountains of Oahu? Butch the bear went
over the mountain"Butch," an American black bear, was a year old when he fled from a Heeia-Kea farm in April 1956. He was sighted a few times in 1957, and many fruitless attempts were made to catch him.
The bear was not seen again until December 1960 when a Marine gunnery sergeant and four companions saw him at Kaiwikoele Stream near Pupukea.
Ten years later, Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club hiker James Malcolm saw the bear at a stream in Waimano.
About 28 years have passed since the last sighting.
"I never saw the bear and I've seen his droppings," veteran hiker Richard Davis said. "It roamed from Kaneohe to Haleiwa and never harmed anyone, although he did scare a few people.
"I'm sure it's dead. He probably died from pig hunters' bullets."
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