WATCH: Young bear takes rough tumble from Denver tree after wildlife officers tranquilize it
DENVER — A young black bear had an eventful Sunday morning after climbing a tree in the heart of Denver, requiring wildlife officers and police to work together to bring it down safely.
The bear was spotted near the intersection of Louisiana Avenue and Pennsylvania Street, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Officers responded to the scene, tranquilized the animal, and waited for it to fall from the tree, with Denver Police Department officers standing by to help catch it. Video shared on social media showed the bear dropping through the branches before being secured on the ground.
"It didn't have the smoothest landing, but the bear is ok!" the agency wrote in a post on X.
Wildlife officials identified the animal as an approximately 1.5-year-old male yearling weighing about 100 pounds. Plans were made to transport the bear to more suitable habitat and release it there.
The unusual urban encounter comes as Colorado wildlife officials are reporting a sharp rise in bear activity across the state this year. Between January 1 and August 13, Colorado Parks and Wildlife received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts, nearly double the 3,115 reports during the same period last year. Officials have attributed the increase to ongoing drought conditions, which are reducing natural food sources and pushing bears into populated areas in search of meals.
"You're not crazy, we are seeing more bear conflicts this year," the agency posted. "The drought is forcing bears to seek food in our neighborhoods."
The agency is urging residents to take precautions to avoid attracting bears, including securing trash until the morning of pickup, removing bird feeders, and keeping cars and windows locked.
Just days before the Sunday incident, a mother bear and her cub were spotted in Denver's Harvey Park neighborhood. Those animals remained in the area for several days before wildlife officers tranquilized and relocated them.
Wildlife officials warn that bear activity typically increases as the animals prepare for winter, building up fat reserves to survive the colder months.