Dennis RomeroThe California black bears are coming out of the hills to eat and play.
On a day when Los Angeles County officials warned residents to beware of the big black animals, no matter how cuddly they might appear, state Fish and Game officials announced they've captured one of the black bears suspected of going domestic in Duarte Monday.
It was a little one:
City News Service reports the 150 pounder was tranquilized in Duarte late yesterday by Fish and Game officials. It was captured in the 900 block of Swiss Trail Road about 3:30 p.m., according to CNS.
Fish and Game officials were triumphant, tweeting, “Bear captured!” yesterday.
It was believed to have been the juvenile, who was travelling with his mom and a sibling, that got into a garage in the 200 block of Greenbank Avenue in Duarte Monday.
The same day a bear sighting was reported outside a home near Mount Olive Drive and Mount Olive Lane in neighboring Bradbury.
Yet another sighting was reported near the Rose Bowl in Pasadena Tuesday.
Why the invasion?
Credit: @shootseannbcla
Food, it seems. They like to go through the trash. And sometimes they go for a dip in swimming pools as the inland temps heat up.
All this wildlife has prompted the L.A. County Sheriff's Department to warn San Gabriel Valley foothill residents not to leave food out for the creatures. (They'll come back for more. And they'll kill you). According to the department:
Eating from fruit trees and drinking from and swimming in pools, spas and ponds are activities which will most likely increase if the bear populations continue to increase. The Black Bears were introduced into the San Gabriel Mountains in 1933. They are all descendants of 11 bears deported from Yosemite National Park for being troublemakers.
Credit: @kimnbcla
Now, before you try to capture one to use as bait at your local gay bar, the sheriff's department has a long-ass list of warnings. Basically don't even think about it. And keep your trash cans covered.
[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.