DETROIT – State game wardens have decided not to set a trap for a bear or bears that attacked and killed at least two cows in Detroit this past weekend.

Mark Latti, spokesman for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, said Wednesday that conflicting reports have been received about the attacks.

It is unclear at this point, he said, whether two or four cows were killed.

Latti said the farmer who owned the cows, Donn Temple, is unclear how many are missing.

Temple said Tuesday that two cows had been killed, one was still missing and at least two others had deep scratches and bite marks.

Latti said it also has been determined that the attack was likely launched by a male bear seeking new territory.

Residents in the area, including Temple, have spotted a female and two cubs around Route 220 and Route 69 for several weeks.

Latti said that since the bear appears to have moved on and has not returned to the Temple farm, no trap will be set.

“Obviously if there are any other problems, we will reassess that,” he said.