May 1 (UPI) -- A yearling black bear that drew attention when it climbed a tree in a residential Massachusetts neighborhood has been returned to the wild, officials said.
Massachusetts Environmental Police said the black bear was spotted in a Worcester resident's backyard tree about 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
"Due to the populated location of the bear, Environmental Police Officers specially trained in the chemical immobilization of animals responded," the MEP said. "With the assistance of the Worcester Police Department, the male black bear (approximately 100 pounds) was successfully immobilized. The bear was subsequently transported to an undisclosed rural location where it was monitored until it fully recovered from the effects of the immobilization agent."
The MEP shared a photo and a video of the tranquilized bear on Facebook.
Katie Gronendyke, a spokeswoman with the Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said bears are often seen in residential areas in the springtime after they wake from hibernation and seek out food sources.
"Bears are attracted to yards by bird feeders, unsecured trash, pet food and composted vegetables. To prevent conflicts with bears, take down bird feeders and suet, feed pets indoors, use compost bins, keep garbage bags in secure containers and put it out the day of trash pickup, instead of leaving it out all night," Gronendyke told the Boston Herald.
