Bear wanders through suburb near L.A.
MONROVIA, Calif. — A big, old bear wandered a Los Angeles foothill suburb Friday, drawing curious onlookers before wildlife authorities removed it.
The bear ambled along streets and into backyards in Monrovia, at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The Monrovia Police Department said officers called state Department of Fish and Wildlife workers.
The bear was eventually tranquilized and taken to the nearest suitable forest habitat, said Tim Daly, a Fish and Wildlife spokesman.
“One of our guys out on the scene described the bear as huge — about 400 pounds — female and older,” Daly said. “In the bear world, she would be described as elderly.”
The bear was otherwise fine, he said.
“It’s a little alarming how close and comfortable people were getting up next to this bear, but there were no incidents, so we’re happy about that,” he added.
It was believed to be the same bear seen a day earlier in Monrovia, where it’s not uncommon for animals to wander out of the sprawling Angeles National Forest.
The city’s bear safety website notes that bears emerge from winter dens and return to the foothills in search of food when the weather warms up.