HILLSBORO, Mo. (AP) — A citation has been issued for a suspect who shot and skinned a black bear in eastern Missouri.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the bear was found dead Monday in Jefferson County. Missouri Department of Conservation spokesman Dan Zarlenga declined to name the suspect, who was issued a citation for a misdemeanor.

Black bears are a protected species making a resurgence in Missouri. Missouri’s Wildlife Code allows a black bear to be killed only with prior consent of a conservation agent if the animal is damaging property. It can be killed without permission if it is attacking a person, livestock or a domestic animal.

Agents believe the dead bear was an adult.

Missouri is home to an estimated 300 to 400 black bears.