Watch CBS News

Bear cub found dead in NYC's Central Park

NEW YORK -- A bear cub has been found dead under a bush inside New York City's Central Park, and authorities believe the body may have been dumped there.

Police say the cub was found Monday morning by a Central Park conservancy employee. The bear had stab and slash wounds to its body, sources told CBS New York.

The NYPD was investigating the cub's death as a case of animal cruelty.

No bears were reported missing from area zoos. They're not among the park's known wildlife population.

The Bronx Zoo was performing a necropsy to determine how the 3-foot cub died. It wasn't clear what type of bear it was.

It is a violation of the health code to dispose of an animal's body in the park. If found, the offender faces possible health code violation charges in addition to possible animal cruelty charges.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.