Bear Tranquilized in LCF Neighborhood [Photos]

California Fish and Game officials tranquilized a black bear Monday afternoon in the 300 block of Baptiste Way after the ursine trundled into a La Cañada backyard.

Residents in the neighborhood spotted the bear and called 911, prompting three nearby schools, Paradise Canyon Elementary, St. Francis High and Flintridge Preparatory School, to be briefly put on lockdown, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Burton Brink.

At approximately 2:10 PM, personnel from Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to 372 Mellow Lane, regarding a small bear that had been sighted in a ravine behind the residence.  For approximately one hour, deputies attempted to contain the bear as she moved between residences in the area of Crowne Avenue and Baptiste Way.

Personnel from California Department Fish and Wildlife were able to dart the bear with a tranquilizer, at approximately 3:25 PM.  The 125 pound young California Black Bear succumbed to the effects of the tranquilizer roughly 10 minutes later, near the residence at 319 Baptiste Way.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife took custody of the bear and tagged her ear with #503.  The bear will be released back into wild.  There were no reported injuries. According to a deputy on scene who declined to give his name, the bear was doused with water to help keep her cool.

Baptiste Way turned into a bit of a madhouse as dozens of neighbors, local residents, police and multiple television media trucks gathered to watch the bear get tranquilized on the side walkway of a house. At one point, three helicopters were also hovering in the sky.

Among the onlookers was Faith Field and Eric Holmstrom, who are high school directors at La Cañada Presbyterian Church. They said they heard the helicopters hovering over La Cañada and then saw a report about the bear on Twitter. The two have an interest in local bear sightings and said they report them to the kids in their congregation every Sunday.

"When we heard there was a bear in town we thought, 'Oh my gosh, we have to come and see.' We follow all the bear sightings around, like the one that was swimming in the pool and that one, Meatball," Field told Patch.

Members of the media were allowed one at a time to come back and view the bear for photos and video (see attached photos). 

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