Bear captured in Cape Cod area

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WELLFLEET, Mass., June 12 (UPI) -- Authorities in Massachusetts said a black bear seen wandering the Cape Cod area was captured by state wildlife agents.

The search for the bear, which had previously been spotted in the area, was intensified after a Monday morning sighting, and Wellfleet police said officers with the Massachusetts Environmental Police tranquilized the animal and transported it out of the area, the Cape Cod Times reported Tuesday.

State officials said the bear, which was first spotted May 24 in Sandwich, likely traveled a far distance in the search for a mate. Experts said more bear sightings in eastern Massachusetts are likely, as the state is now home to about 3,000 of the animals.