Bear lowered from tree in harness

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) - A black bear that was on the loose in Virginia Beach all day Friday, was shot with a tranquilizer dart and lowered from a tree to safety.

Police and Animal Control surrounded the black bear at 16th Street and Cypress Avenue in Virginia Beach for several hours Friday evening.

The male bear was found around 5 p.m. Police were armed with weapons just in case and shot the bear with a tranquilizer dart around 7:15 p.m. while the bear was sitting in a tree. After the bear fell asleep, it started getting dark so the fire department brought in a fire truck with a ladder on it to shine a light on the bear. They sawed off branches from the tree and lowered the bear down in a harness around 8:30 p.m.

The gathered crowd standing in the rain cheered as the bear was lowered to safety. "It's about time," could be heard in the crowd. Many had been standing near the corner for hours.

Biologist Aaron Proctor with U.S. Game and Inland Fisheries put the harness around the bear, "We made sure he was completely knocked out, which he was. We then made a loop and put the rope around him. We put the rope under his chest and under his arm pits, and secured it tight."

Ed Fitzgerald owned the house that had the bear in the tree, and didn't realize it until he saw it on TV. "I didn't realize it was my tree until I saw the footage. I said, that's my tree," said Fitzgerald.

Proctor said it might happen again, but said, "I reiterate bears are much more afriad of us than we should be of them. We have never had an unprovoked attack by a bear in Virginia."

Earlier in the day, Beach police issued a public safety warning about the bear sighting near the Oceanfront. Police said just before 11 p.m. Thursday night, a resident called 911 to report seeing a black bear on Mediterranean Avenue, near 9th Street. Hear that call below.

Officers responded to the area, but according to officials they were unable to locate it. There were several other sightings at the Oceanfront in the Shadowlawn area. The bear was last seen around midnight in the area of Cooke Elementary School, located at Baltic Avenue and 13th Street, according to a released statement from Public Information Officer Grazia Moyers.

Moyers said, over the last two days, Virginia Beach has experienced a series of bear sightings to include the London Bridge area, Pine Ridge subdivision, and now near the Oceanfront.

If you happen to see a bear you're asked to call 911. Remember to keep a respectful distance from the animal. Do not add to the potential danger by following, attempting to attract, feeding or antagonizing a bear.

The Virginia Beach Police and Animal Control are ready to provide assistance in these matters in conjunction with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

No one has been injured, but as one might expect, officials say there was some excitement.

If you do happen to encounter a bear, the most important response is to keep a respectful distance. Black bears have a natural distrust of humans, and in most cases would rather flee than have an encounter with people. If a bear is up a tree, give it space. Do not approach or gather around the base of the tree.

Below is some helpful information which may be useful to the public in the event they encounter a bear, courtesy of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries:

** Unprovoked bear attacks are very rare, and have never been documented in Virginia **

If you do meet a bear here are some suggestions:

• Stay calm. If you see a bear and it has not seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away,make noise to let the bear discover your presence.
• Stop. Back away slowly while facing the bear.Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Bears rarely attack people unless they feel cornered orprovoked.
• Do not run or make any sudden movements. Running could prompt the bear to give chase, and you cannot outrun a bear. If on a trail, step off the trail and slowly leave the area.
• If there is a bear in your yard and it approaches you, make yourself look big and make loud noises. Remain at a safe distance and throw rocks to make the bear feel unwelcome.
• If there is a bear in your house prop open all doors to the outside and get out of the way of the exit. Never close a bear into a room. Make noises and yell at bear to leave the house. Don'tapproach the bear but make sure it knows it is violating your territory.
• If you surprise a bear speak softly. This may reassure the bear that you mean it no harm.
• Fight back. If a black bear attacks you, fight back. Black bears have been driven away whenpeople have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.

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More information from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries