A small bear was hit along Highway 101 near Gaviota Thursday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol.
It was reported at about 7:15 p.m. in the southbound lanes of the highway north of the Gaviota tunnel.
Jaime Dostal, a lieutenant with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, says due to the bear’s size and color, it is not believed to be the same one spotted multiple times recently in a large dumpster near the Gaviota rest stop.
Dostal says there are quite a few bears in the Gaviota area.
He estimates that about 10 bears are hit on roads in Santa Barbara County every year.
Initial reports by CHP were that multiple vehicles may have hit the animal. There were no reports of any injuries to the drivers reportedly involved.
