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Wildlife and Forestry officials are meeting Thursday to discuss the possibility of re-opening parts of the Red River Gorge for the holiday weekend that have been close since a bear attack last weekend.

A state spokeswoman says a black bear spotted near a trash bin in Lee County was likely the same bear that mauled a hiker in the Red River Gorge area of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Barbara Atwood, spokeswoman for the Tourism Arts and Heritage Cabinet, said Thursday the reported sighting on Monday was in Beattyville, about 20 miles south of Red River Gorge. Atwood says state Fish and Wildlife experts are "fairly certain" it was the same bear that attacked, bit and shook Tim Scott of Springfield on Sunday.

Atwood says the search area has been expanded several times since the attack on Sunday and that traps baited with doughnuts and honey buns also are being used.

Scott said the bear attacked, bit and shook him while he was hiking through the area. He was treated at a Lexington hospital and released Monday. The attack promoted officials to close a large portion of the Red River Gorge until the bear is caught.

Atwood said Kentucky has an estimated 100 to 150 bears, most of them in the southeastern part of the state.

Associated Press Wire Services Contributed To This Story.