Vermont man attempts to transform property into bear refuge

WILMINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont man is trying to turn his property into a wildlife refuge for bears.

The Brattleboro Reformer reports (https://bit.ly/2xibO7e ) Jim Burke met with the Wilmington Development Review Board on Monday to discuss turning the majority of his 62-acre property into a safe haven for bears and other animals.

Burke says he simply wants the land to provide a safe place for wildlife once him and his wife move. He says there wouldn’t be a fence around the property and no one would feed the animals.

The board says Burke must transfer development rights to an organization to meet zoning ordinances for a wildlife refuge.

Officials have advised Burke to consult with his attorney as the proposal moves forward.

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Information from: Brattleboro Reformer, https://www.reformer.com/