PULLMAN, Wash – You’ve heard the expression “don’t poke the bear.” Now, it’s the actual message from Washington State University Police.
WSU Police say people are trying to poke the bears at the WSU Bear Center, which is a grizzly research center on the WSU campus.
Police say they’re getting reports people are using sticks and branches to try and poke the bears through the fence.
“These bears are part of vital research at Washington State University,” WSU Police said in a Facebook post Monday. “Interfering with them is not only harmful—it’s illegal. Under RCW 9.08.090, injuring a research animal is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.”
Police say the area is monitored by security cameras and that “inappropriate behavior will be documented and reported.”
They ask anyone who sees something suspicious there to report it to campus police.
“Thank you for helping us protect our bears and the important work being done here at WSU.”
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