MONUMENT TO A BEAR IN SCULPTURE GARDEN OF MUSUEM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA

Monument to a Bear, 2003



TEXT ON BRONZE PLAQUE:

HELENA, Mont, Oct 13 (AP) A black bear cub that firefighters plucked from a charred tree last year was given a good chance of survival when its burned paws healed and it was released into the wild.

Pictures of the cub with bandages on all four paws had been distributed by news media nationwide. The wildlife shelter where the bear was cared for was overrun with visitors wanting to see the animal as it recuperated.

Officials confirmed this week that a hunter had shot and legally killed he bear.

"You feel bad when it's one you've taken care of and this happens," said Darlene Dascher, a parks commissioner, "but that's part of the program."