JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — A grizzly bear spotted three weeks ago in Wyoming with an animal trap clamped onto its front paw has wildlife advocates concerned.

The grizzly in the grip of the steel spring-loaded trap was seen in late May traversing a large snowfield in Teton County.

The Humane Society of the United States and Jackson-based Wyoming Untrapped are asking wildlife managers to find and treat the bear and also investigate the trapping incident. It's illegal to trap grizzly bears.

Wyoming Game and Fish large carnivore manager Dan Thompson says agency personnel have spent many hours searching for the bear since the day it was spotted.

Thompson says it's possible the bear was able to remove the trap on its own.

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