Young Black Bear Stirs Up Banning Neighborhood

BANNING, CA — A teenage black bear, whose presence in Banning Friday night caused a ruckus, hasn't been spotted since — at least not as far as the California Department of Fish & Wildlife has heard.

"We haven't received any calls," explained CDFW Lt. Supervisor Kyle Chang.

Speaking by phone Tuesday morning, Chang said his agency got word Friday night from the Banning Police Department about the bear officers had been chasing near the 900 block of Dorothy Anna Drive.

"They asked for help because there were people out, and there was concern for public safety," said Chang, who was supposed to be off Friday night but the bear call changed all that.

The wild animal had been in the area since around 7 p.m., likely scavenging for food or water.

Similar to coyotes, "they usually come out after dark, but sometimes earlier," Chang said.

Banning police fired beanbag rounds at the bear, but it wasn't leaving the rural residential neighborhood, according to Chang.

When Chang arrived at the scene, he said the 100-pound "subadult" bear was high up in a very big backyard tree.

"We couldn't use tranquilizer, because the fall would have killed the bear," he explained.

Instead, darts with tips cut off were used to aggravate the animal, which worked — except the bear's escape route left some property damage, like a broken fence and landscaping destruction.

Eventually, the creature disappeared into the darkness, but it was bleeding and limping from unknown injuries, according to Chang.

The number of black bear sightings in the area is normally high. With last year's Apple Fire authorities were preparing for an increase, but that hasn't really panned out.

"Bears died in the fire." Some suffered burn injuries, and "we don't know if they survived," Chang explained.

It's unclear whether the blaze pushed many survivors elsewhere or if the bear population is really down.

To prevent bears from coming onto property, Chang advised feeding pets indoors when possible and discard uneaten food. Also, keep trash in bear-proof cans or in areas inaccessible to wild animals.

Despite their ability to kill, black bears generally don't tangle with humans unless they're provoked or feel cornered.

"They avoid people as much as possible," although a mama and her cubs can be a very dangerous situation, Chang explained.

If you see a bear, don't run. Instead, slowly move away and don't do anything to make the animal feel threatened, Chang advised.

For the most part, bears return to their wildland habitat during the day.

"Most of the time," Chang laughed.

For more information about black bears, visit the CDFW's Keep Me Wild page.