The cause of death for three bear cubs and their mother found in a Pennsylvania church parking lot has been revealed. The West Wyoming Borough Police Department initially investigated the deaths as suspicious, with no external trauma or bullet wounds found on the animals.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission conducted an investigation and performed toxicological tests on the bears. They discovered that the bears had recently eaten leaves and seeds from an English yew plant, which is toxic to animals.
The commission explained that the yew plant contains taxine, a toxic alkaloid compound that affects the heart. During the winter months, its toxicity increases, leading to sudden and fatal effects on the animals’ health.
After extensive testing, including screens for pesticides and environmental contaminants, the cause of death was confirmed to be poisoning from the yew plant. The discovery highlights the dangers of certain plants in urban environments.
