In order to solve a puzzle, one must be given a certain amount of information. For example, in the case of a crossword puzzle, clues relating to definitions of words are made available. A jigsaw puzzle requires numerous cut-up pieces which fit together to create the ultimate goal. Solving mysteries entails similar “hints” although, for obvious reasons, the clues are far more sophisticated than what word-games necessitate.

Speaking of definitions, here are a few to ponder. “Assassinate: to murder by sudden or secret attack usually for impersonal reasons; to injure or destroy unexpectedly and treacherously. Kill: to deprive of life. Murder: to slaughter wantonly; slay; put an end to. Poach (as in poacher): one who kills or takes game or fish illegally. Euthanasia: the act or practice of killing individuals (as persons or animals) that are hopelessly sick or injured for reasons of mercy.”

In the case of the alleged displaced bear in Sedona’s Broken Arrow and Chapel areas (although the bear having been displaced could be the subject of another article), the incident has become, perhaps, convoluted to the point of no return.

The bear was factually, in polite police-speak, “dispatched”. However, possibly same “dispatched” bear was also reported to have been tranquilized in the Chapel area, amazingly in close proximity to U.S. National Forest Service territory where if the bear hadn’t crossed the line it would have been deemed legally protected.

Apparently it was subsequent to a news release indicating the bear had been relocated to a safer location after having been tranquilized when a very forthright representative, Shelly Shepherd with the Arizona Game & Fish Department, had the courage to get on national television and without hesitation told the truth . . . that the bear had been “euthanized” because, in her own words, after clearly determining the bear had not been aggressive, Shelly says “It’s not a risk they’re ready to take. A bear that was sticking around in residential areas and getting into garbage cans . . . and again that kind of goes back to that habituation around humans.”

Now then, the first report of sighting this bear as far as it’s ascertainable was Tuesday, June 22^nd and, although yet unconfirmed, this non-aggressive bear was dispatched, killed, murdered, assassinated or “poached” on allegedly the following Saturday, June 26^th, less that one full week after it was sighted.  Neither Arizona Game & Fish nor the Sedona Police Department, to which both were referenced in a local newspaper article as having knowledge of the tranquilization and relocation of a bear, have stepped forward to explain why it was Ms. Shepherd who came forth with an accurate account that the bear had, in fact, been “euthanized” . . .  which, of course, that term is an intricate questionable piece to this puzzle’s unanswered questions.

Admittedly, this non-aggressive bear who had digressed less than a mile from its legal territory, being the U.S. National Forest Service wilderness area, was suddenly deemed, according to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, “hopelessly sick or injured” whereby justifying the humane thing to do was opt for “euthanasia”. Why? Attempts to find out answers about where and how the bear was “dispatched” remain ignored. Some people’s hearts at this time resemble the Broken Arrow sign at the entrance to at least one location where the bear was first sighted.   

According to a July 2^nd report, a black bear showed up in Sisters, a small town in Oregon. As the bear ran by some local residents, it climbed a tree in the middle of downtown Sisters. After descending the tree and roaming through neighborhoods, the bear headed out of town. A true and happy story but, unfortunately, it was not about Sedona.

And so you puzzle enthusiasts, here’s one for you to solve although, obviously, it will be difficult because too many of the pieces are still missing. Was, in truth, the bear’s fatal mistake for which he paid the ultimate price, death, because he was smarter than his two legged enemies? Was more than one bear involved in this scenario?

A final definition to ponder: Cover-Up: a device or stratagem for masking or concealing.