CROWN KING, Ariz. — A routine patrol through Crown King took a turn for the wildlife officers on duty when a resident approached them saying that there were bears in his garage.
It was a mama bear and her cubs that, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), had been repeatedly spotted in the area over the last few months. They were going through the man's garbage when he saw them on Sunday.
Although the bears hadn't been aggressive towards people, they were getting too comfortable coming into populated places. Something had to be done.
"The wildlife officers quickly evaluated the situation, then darted the sow and both cubs with a sedative," AZGFD said. "With the assistance of Crown King Fire Department personnel, the officers were able to capture the sow and one cub and safely remove them[...]"
However, the other cub evaded capture and climbed a nearby power pole. With the sedative taking effect, the cub reportedly fell asleep tangled up in the phone lines.
Since the bear was so close to power lines and electrical equipment, authorities called in an APS worker to bring his truck from Prescott to Crown King and help get the cub down.
After figuring out how to get the bear untangled, the worker successfully and safely brought it to the ground, AZGFD said.
AZGFD relocated and released the mother bear and one of her cubs into the Bradshaw Mountains on Monday — roughly 55 miles north of Phoenix. The other cub was found to have an infection in one of its legs and was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center for treatment.
The department reminded people living near bears to keep food sources and garbage secured away and inaccessible to wildlife in order to reduce the chance of conflicts like this one.
For more information on living near bears, you can click here to visit their website.
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