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Black bear retreats to tree in downtown Missoula

Story Created: Sep 8, 2010 at 11:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Sep 9, 2010 at 10:00 AM MST

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Wildlife officials say a yearling black bear that climbed into a tree in downtown Missoula has been tagged and will be relocated outside of the city.

Resident Jim Caron told the Missoulian the 70-pound male bear took about four steps toward him Wednesday afternoon before retreating 30 feet up a nearby tree.

A crowd of about 30 people gathered to watch as authorities spread a net below and Bob Wiesner with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks prepared a dart gun to tranquilize the animal. About five minutes after the bruin was shot, it fell safely into the net.

FWP wildlife biologist Vickie Edwards says it is not unusual to see bears north of downtown, but they rarely cross the railroad tracks along Interstate 90 and enter the downtown area. She says the bear was probably cruising nearby homes in search of food.

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Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com

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