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Bear Center: Collared Bear Shot, Killed In Soudan

SOUDAN, Minn (WCCO) -- A collared bear, named Gentle Jo, was shot and killed in Soudan, Minn. Monday evening, according to the North American Bear Center's website.

Biologists Lynn Rogers and Sue Mansfield wrote on the website that Jo may have been lured into the town of Soudan due to scarcity of food before being shot. Jo made it into the forest before collapsing on the run from a shot through lung.

Rogers said property owners can legally shoot bears if they think they are a threat.

"She had great potential as a research bear and was one of the gentlest, calmest bears," Rogers said. "Never did anything that would make us think she would hurt us."

The Department of Natural Resources has confiscated Jo's body in their investigation of the shooting.

According to the website, BBC's Planet Earth Live will being covering Jo's death on Thursday.

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