'The Bear is OK': Watch Police, Fire Officials Save Bear as it Falls From Tree

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

A bear that had been spotted wandering through residential streets in Tracy the past week is now safely on terra firma after taking a tumble from a tree.

According to ABC 10 News, the bear was stuck in the tree for over two hours when police and fire officials caught it in a heavy canvas as it fell about 30 feet to the ground.

It took three darts to tranquilize the bear and make it drowsy enough to get it down to be rescued.

Residents who gathered at Whittier and Bessie avenues to watch expressed their shock at seeing a bear in the city limits. According to one concerned resident, Tracy Police officials told her via social media the “bear was okay.”

Tracy Fire Department Division Chief Andy Kellogg told KCRA 3 News, “This is my first bear rescue in 30 years.”
Word of the wandering Tracy bear quickly spread westward to the East Bay after it was spotted on Monday and Tuesday and still evaded capture.

Department of Fish and Wildlife tweeted that the 4-year-old 175-pound bear was being evaluated by officials following the rescue.

Tracy Police posted the following update about the “Tracy Bear” on their Facebook page:

Bear update:

The bear was safely rescued being humanely tranquilized and captured. After the examination by Fish and Wildlife biologists we are happy to report the female bear, approximately four yours old, has no injuries and is sleeping off the tranquilizer. She will be released in a proper habitat as soon as it’s safe. Thank you to everyone who participated in her successful rescue and the citizens compassion and concern for her. Rest well Tracy Bear.

Photo courtesy Department of Fish and Wildlife Twitter.

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