Bear dashes through neighborhood after escaping carrier, Arizona officials say

A young bear on its way to be released back into the wild instead chewed its way out of its carrier and escaped, forcing officers to kill it, Arizona officials reported.

Wildlife officers captured the bear Monday, May 27, in Prescott Valley after it was reported in a populated area, the Arizona Game and Fish Department said in a news release.

Prescott Valley is about a 95-mile drive north from Phoenix.

The bear, a yearling, was deemed suitable for relocation and officers were driving it to be released on Tuesday, May 28, officials said.

The bear chewed through its transport carrier and fled into neighborhoods in Dewey, which is about an 85-mile drive north from Phoenix.

“The bear was running from one neighborhood to another, and 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,” officials said in the release.

Officials said it is believed to be the first such escape in Arizona.

“The carrier from which the bear escaped had been used numerous times previously to transport bears and mountain lions without incident,” officials said.

What to do if you see a bear

Bear attacks in the U.S. are rare, according to the National Park Service. In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space.

There are steps people can take to help prevent a bear encounter from becoming a bear attack.

• Identify yourself: Talk calmly and slowly wave your arms. This can help the bear realize you’re a human and nonthreatening.

• Stay calm: Bears usually don’t want to attack; they want to be left alone. Talk slowly and with a low voice to the bear.

• Don’t scream: Screaming could trigger an attack.

• Pick up small children: Don’t let kids run away from the bear. It could think they’re small prey.

• Hike in groups: A group is noisier and smellier, the National Park Service said. Bears like to keep their distance from groups of people.

• Make yourself look big: Move to higher ground and stand tall. Don’t make any sudden movements.

• Don’t drop your bag: A bag on your back can keep a bear from accessing food, and it can provide protection.

• Walk away slowly: Move sideways so you appear less threatening to the bear. This also lets you keep an eye out.

• Again, don’t run: Bears will chase you, just like a dog would.

• Don’t climb trees: Grizzlies and black bears can also climb.

This story was originally published May 29, 2024 at 2:12 PM with the headline "Bear dashes through neighborhood after escaping carrier, Arizona officials say."