Hope is dead in Minnesota, where a young black bear with the inspiring name was killed by a hunter on September 16.

 

The bear and its mother, Lily, were the subjects of a study by biologist Lynn Rogers and featured in a BBC documentary, The Bear Family and Me. Hope’s birth and life during the winter of 2010 were covered on the Internet and followed by thousands worldwide.

 

Hunters are not allowed to shoot bears wearing collars, but Hope was not collared. The hunter who shot Hope after the bear came into his bait site said he was unaware of the bear’s identity at the time he killed her. Hope, who weighed about 165 pounds, is survived by his mother and a younger sister named Faith.

-Noel Brinkerhoff, David Wallechinsky

 

Researchers Confirm Hope the Bear Was Shot, Killed (by Steve Kuchera, Duluth News Tribune)

World Famous Black Bear Hope Is Believed Killed (by Ella Davies, BBC News)

Lily the Black Bear (Facebook)