Roaming bear captured in Duarte neighborhood

DUARTE, Calif. (KABC) -- Officials believe that a bear captured in Duarte on Tuesday is the same bear that has been visiting residents for the past few days.

Fish and Game officials tranquilized the 155-pound bear after spotting him near homes on the 900 block of Swiss Trail Road.

"He was just about to climb ... the wall, out of my place, so I picked up the phone and called 911, and then I lost track of him," said resident Jerry Gillaspie.

Residents came out to watch, as officials secured the sleeping bear and prepared to move him. Andrew Hughan of Fish and Game said luck helped them catch the bear.

"The bear literally walked right in front of the game warden, jumped in the tree, and he was lucky enough to have his tranquilizer gun ready to go," Hughan said.

Officials said they planned to take him several miles into the Angeles National Forest. Authorities say it's difficult to confirm if it's the same bear because there have been so many bears coming into communities recently.

Another bear that's become legendary in the Glendale-La Crescenta area was spotted again on Tuesday. It's the second time in the last few weeks that the bear known as Meatball has shown up in the yard of Kelly MacDonald's La Crescenta home. She said she knows it's the same bear because Meatball was tagged several months ago.

Fish and Game officials urged residents to be diligent with getting rid of food in trash bins because they believe the smell is attracting bears into the communities.

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animal news, los angeles news, amy powell

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