MEXICO – Peru and Rumford residents living opposite the Androscoggin River and Naples Packing Co. Inc. in Mexico should be aware that a wounded bear may be in the area.

Mexico Sgt. Roy Hodsdon said Saturday night that he and a warden searched the area for about three hours and discovered that the bear, which had been hit by a car on Route 2, entered the river on the Mexico side.

“We’re not too concerned for public safety, because we think it’s going to hide,” Hodsdon said.

“We’re not sure where it’s at, but the warden service and I are going to look for it tomorrow morning,” he added.

They also don’t know the extent of the bear’s injuries.

Hodsdon said the “good-sized” black bear weighs an estimated 200 pounds. It was struck at 5:30 p.m. Saturday on Route 2 by a westbound 2005 Honda CRV driven by Peter Moskus, 47, of Rumford, he said.

Moskus wasn’t injured, but his car sustained an estimated $2,000 in damage.

As for the bear, Hodsdon said after the collision, the bruin slid across the highway and hit a guard rail. It then climbed over the guard rail and laid down on the river bank near the meat-packing business for a short while before taking off. Blood was found at the crash site.

Hodsdon said it was very unusual that the bear wasn’t hibernating at this time of the year.

“It’s absolutely late for a bear to be out now, but we had a mild fall, so, it may be still eating,” he added.