TRACY-
There was a dramatic end to a loose bear in Tracy on Wednesday, as officials managed to successfully tranquilize and move the animal out of a tree.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with police officers and firefighters, managed to spot the bear hiding out in a neighborhood tree near Whittier and Bessie Avenues.
The bear was first spotted Monday night, and a driver hit the bear near Monte Vista Middle School on Tuesday night.
#TracyBear down! pic.twitter.com/xuAOaqVUAC
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
The bear was in the tree for about three hours, and spectators literally rushed to the tree when the bear came tumbling down.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife says the bear is actually a girl; it took three tranquilizer darts to get the 175-pound animal to sleep.
Some who watched her come down were pleased she was finally caught.
“I just got to make sure for myself, now I feel much better. I’ll probably resume my normal workout schedule,” said Eddie Griego of Tracy.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife say they did not find any visible injuries, but they did find two DFW tags, meaning she has been in their custody twice before.
“Could have been a nuisance bear which means he was a bear that was habituated to people, getting into garbage cans and that sort of thing and it’s harder to relocate those bears because once they’ve learned the behavior they come back,” said Kirsten Macintyre, the department’s communication director.
With the bear finally in custody, authorities who worked tirelessly to capture her say they are happy with the outcome.
“It has been a little hectic in town for the past couple of days,” said Andy Kellogg, Division Chief of the Tracy Fire Department. “A lot of rumors and what not going around, but nice to see that it came to an end like this.”
The Department of Fish and Wildlife say they are going to find a better habitat for the bear, and have moved the bear to their facility in Sacramento.
Fire fighters are preparing a large cloth. #TracyBear is still up in tree. pic.twitter.com/rlYEEbDeoT
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
It's hard to make out the bear but a spectator said it best "it looks like a large nest" #tracybear pic.twitter.com/6IwFKw70zW
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
An official is getting ready to use the tranquilizer gun. #tracybear pic.twitter.com/biRZCc66vF
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
At least one tranquilizer shot fired. Just saw the bear move up closer to the top of the tree #TracyBear
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
#TracyBear moved down. Now in center of tree
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
#TracyBear still up there. Authorities standing by. Bear has been said to be size of large dog pic.twitter.com/rOgR35j7ky
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
Officials are preparing to take another shot at #TracyBear pic.twitter.com/QcH3fnDl3n
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
Fish and wildlife just took another shot. #TracyBear moved up. pic.twitter.com/4PHhQpiW9F
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
Spectators literally rushed to get a closer look. #TracyBear pic.twitter.com/AyfKMHbcdk
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
Tracy fire chief says the bear landed softly. Was about 5 ft, 200+ lbs.
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
Fish and Wildlife official says bear will be checked for internal bleeding. Hit by car last night in Tracy. Was tagged 2x by DFW #TracyBear
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015
#trabcybear update from DFW: female, 175 pounds. guessing it is 4 years old. doesn't have any visible injuries. they may take her to sac
— Kay Recede (@KayRecede) March 26, 2015