- A young bear was tranquilized and removed from a Park City neighborhood Thursday.
- Drought conditions in Utah may lead to more bear conflicts this year.
- Residents are advised to secure food and trash to prevent attracting bears.
PARK CITY — A young bear was tranquilized and removed from a tree after wandering into a Park City neighborhood early Thursday, state wildlife officials say.
About 5:30 a.m., Park City dispatch received a report from a Park City resident who said they saw a black bear climb a tree in a neighborhood near Prospector Park.
Utah Department of Natural Resources law enforcement and state wildlife biologists responded to the scene, where they located the bear in a large, thick conifer tree later in the morning. State conservation officers and Park City police blocked off the area, while biologists attempted to scare off the bear.
Biologists deployed drones that attempted to haze the bear from the tree, which was unsuccessful, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Park City firefighters brought in a ladder truck, where a long pole was used to nudge out the bear. When that didn't work, biologists climbed up the truck ladder to shoot a tranquilizer dart at it.
After it was sedated, firefighters used a stretcher board and a tarp to secure the bear and bring it down the ladder. Biologists conducted a quick physical exam on the bear, which was determined to be a young male. They attached an ear tag to him, while they are still determining whether to relocate him into the wild, said Michael Packer, a conservation outreach manager for the division.
Park City's wildland urban interface may have factored in Thursday's bear incident, but state wildlife biologists believe more bear conflicts are possible this year because of the state's drought conditions. Over 90% of the state remains in severe, extreme or exceptional drought, which could affect the plants and vegetation that black bears rely mostly on.
Thus, many could wander into campgrounds and communities looking for alternate food sources.
Wildlife officials urged caution after a pair of high-profile incidents at two Western national parks earlier this month.
"Bears might go to places that they usually aren't, and people might be going to places where they usually aren't this time of year — in higher numbers," said Chad Wilson, game mammals coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
The agency recommends that residents and campers properly store food, trash and scented items that could attract bears and carefully dispose of any trash. People should never approach a bear or run from one.
Anyone who encounters a bear should stay calm, speak in a steady voice and back away slowly without making any sudden movements. People should report bear encounters to authorities as soon as it is safe to do so.
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