Officials say young bear euthanized in Phoenix area was threat to people
May 29, 2018, 10:31 AM | Updated: 11:41 am
PHOENIX – A young bear euthanized in suburban Phoenix by Arizona Game and Fish officers was deemed a threat to people because it showed up twice in residential areas, officials said.
The sub-adult black bear was spotted Sunday night in an Anthem neighborhood. Wildlife officers tranquilized it Monday and later made the decision to euthanize it.
It was the same bear that was captured in the Prescott area 10 days earlier, when it was fitted with an ear tag and relocated to a remote area.
It’s believed the bear walked 40 miles to Anthem looking for food.
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“It actively sought out humans again for food and would have done it again and again,” Amy Burnett, Arizona Game and Fish information and education program manager, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “This kind of bear is unable to be rehabilitated, unfortunately.”
Authorities say drought conditions this year could bring wildlife into communities and campgrounds until the summer rains come.
They warned people not to leave food and trash around that could lure bears to developed areas.
Two weeks ago, another bear was spotted in a Mesa neighborhood, but officials never tracked it down.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
