A black bear cub found dead in Central Park Monday appears to have been hit and killed by a vehicle, officials say.
The 6-month-old female cub died of blunt force trauma consistent with a motor vehicle collision, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, which conducted the necropsy in an Albany lab.
The DEC says it's continuing to investigate. Potential environmental law violations include illegal possession, transport and disposal of an untagged bear, officials said.
A dog walker found the dead bruin in the brush near West 69th Street and West Drive shortly before 10 a.m. and notified a Central Park Conservancy worker, who called police.
"Whenever any wildlife is hurt or harmed we are upset about it," said Elizabeth Kaledin, a spokeswoman for Central Park Conservancy.
