TORONTO – A 250-pound black bear has been captured in a residential area near Elgin Mills Road East and Woodbine Avenue.
The three-year-old bear was hiding way up in the branches of a tree.
John Almond, supervisor for the Ministry of Natural Resources, says it’s not uncommon for bears to appear in some parts of York region.
“It is unusual for bears to be down here but it is not unusual for us to see bears in parts of York region,” he said.
Officials quickly tranquilized the bear and carefully lowered him from the tree in a joint effort between York police and the Toronto Zoo.
The two agencies do not often work together. “Occasionally we get asked by police, the ministry of natural resources and other agencies to assist them when they have special situations,” said Dr. Graham Crawshaw, senior veterinarian for the Toronto Zoo.
The bear was awakened on the scene and will be released away from the city.
While rare, it is estimated that bears appear in urban areas about once a year.
Comments