Environmental Officers Relocate Bear Up Tree In Beacon

BEACON, NY — A bear that refused to leave Beacon on its own accord was relocated by environmental conservation officers in Dutchess County. ECOs Mike Hameline and Kevin Wamsley received a call June 14 about a bear that was seen wandering through a Beacon neighborhood during the day.

Eventually the bear climbed a tree and drew a crowd.

The officers secured the area, making certain that people stayed a safe distance away, and a state Department of Environmental Conservation biologist arrived and tranquilized the bear.

Authorities said the biologist shot the bear with a dart after pads had been set up at the base of the tree to cushion its fall.

The animal was secured and its vitals were checked to ensure it was in good heath. After being tagged for identification purposes, the bear was put in a trailer and taken to a less populated area in the county.

It was released after the effects of the tranquilizer wore off.

DEC officials said that the public should not interact with bears. If left alone and given the opportunity, nearly all bears that wander into urban or suburban areas will leave as quickly and quietly as they appear, experts said, without serious conflict or the need for physical removal.

For more information, visit DEC webpages on black bears and reducing bear-human conflicts.

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