PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — A young bear was killed by Arizona Game and Fish Department officials Tuesday after he escaped into a Dewey neighborhood after chewing through his transport carrier.
The bear was set to be released in a remote area after initially being captured in Prescott Valley on Monday. Officials were able to dart and capture the young bear on Monday evening and planned to take him for release Tuesday, officials said.
The bear was put into a transport carrier, which he chewed through and escaped into a Dewey neighborhood on Tuesday.
"This is the first time wildlife officials can recall a bear escaping from a transport carrier in this manner," a statement from the Arizona Game and Fish Department said. "The carrier from which the bear escaped had been used numerous times previously to transport bears and mountain lions without incident."
The bear was running from one neighborhood to another, officials said.
"With public safety being the department's top priority, and no opportunity to dart the bear, wildlife officers made a decision to lethally remove it," the statement said.
Bear sightings in areas with human activity or where the bear is exhibiting aggressive behavior should be reported to AZGFD at 623-236-7201.
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