BOSTON -- A young black bear was shot and killed by police this weekend after it wandered into an area with people, environmental officials said.

The 130-pound male black bear, estimated to be about 1-1/2 to 2 years old, was roaming in and out of traffic near Route 12 and interstates 290 and 395 in Auburn on Sunday morning, state environmental police said. Environmental police officers tried to encourage the bear to head to a nearby watershed, such as the Dark Brook Reservoir.

"We had no intention of euthanizing this bear," environmental police Lt. John S. Pajak told the Telegram and Gazette.

But when the bear was spooked by a dog and headed toward an area with people, police were forced to shoot the bear, Pajak said.

Less than three weeks ago, another young black bear was shot and killed by environmental police in Worcester. On June 9, officials were able to tranquilize and capture a black bear that wandered into a Worcester back yard. That bear was later released in central Massachusetts.

"This is a peak activity period for black bear," William J. Davis, district supervisor for the state Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, told the paper. "June is breeding season."

Adult males are on the move, while young male bears are leaving their mothers, David said.