After searching for several hours, Sheriff’s Station deputies and wardens with the Department of Fish and Game worked together to sedate a black bear Monday in Canyon Country.
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The first sightings came from local residents around 6 a.m., which were then reported to local officials.
“We knew there was a bear, but we couldn’t get eyes on him,” said Sgt. Ron Price of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
Authorities finally found the bear around 9:30 a.m. and had the bear tranquilized near Jason Drive and Oak Canyon Road in Canyon Country by 10:15 a.m.
Nearby Fair Oaks Elementary was locked down while authorities safely sedated the black bear.
The school was shut down from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
A Fish and Game warden identified the animal as a 3- or 4-year-old male black bear weighing about 110 pounds.
Fish and Game wardens planned on tagging and relocating the bear in hopes that he does not return.
Officials said he could have been run out of his territory by another bear, which is why he came into the city.
“The bears are just waking up, they’re hungry and they come into the city looking for food,” Price said. “(Sheriff’s Station deputies) are here to protect the citizens when this happens.”
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Canyon Country Bear Sedated By Sheriff’s Deputies, Fish and Game
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Source: Santa Clarita News
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