http://lacanadaflintridge.patch.com/articles/bear-shuts-down-the-210-freeway#UPDATED: Authorities Tranquilize Bear After It Shut Down 210 Freeway
Deputies successfully moved the animal away from traffic into a neighborhood on Fairway Avenue. FIsh and Game is on scene.
By Aaron Castrejon and Nicole Charky | 8:57 am
UPDATE, 11:40 a.m.: Deputies estimate the bear tranquilized Sunday morning weighed about 300 pounds and appeared thin, without an identification tag on its ear, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials told Patch.
Deputies at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station received a call about 7:20 a.m. Sunday that a resident saw a bear climb over his fence and knock it down in the 3000 Block of Henrietta Avenue, in La Crescenta, said Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker.
Authorities spotted him walking southbound on Glenwood Avenue, near Foothill Boulevard, Parker told Patch. The animal lounged near a nail salon in the 2900 Block of Foothill Boulevard then south toward Crescenta Valley High School, where it roamed the track.
From the school, the bear walked to the La Crescenta onramp and onto the Foothill (210 Freeway), Parker said.
“It remained in center divider for about five minutes and seemed very scared,” Parker said.
The bear walked off the freeway and went onto Mayfield Avenue and stayed in someone’s backyard before walking east onto Fairway Avenue, the same area where ‘Meatball’ or ‘The Glendale Bear’ was first tranquilized in April.
The animal went south to the 2400 Block of Florencita Avenue in Montrose and wandered toward Hermosa and Sunset avenues, where officials used a tranquilizer dart for the third time.
Glendale Police Department assisted in securing the neighborhood and sheriff’s officials implemented a reverse 911 call to warn locals of the bear.
“We’re very gland that no one was hurt, including the bear, we do have to keep in mind that they are wild animals. Although we have tremendous compassion for the bear, we do have to put the safety of the public first,” Parker said.
“And in this case, like many others, it has ended well with no one hurt, including the bear,” he said.
A bear was struck by a vehicle on the 210 Freeway in La Canada Flintridge this August. Fish and game officials decided to euthanize the animal.
UPDATE, 10:25 a.m.: Fish and Game officials are preparing to load the bear up for transport after finally tranquilizing, according to scanner reports.
The bear was tranquilized with three darts in a wash near Hermosa and Sunset avenues, according to Capt. Mike Parker of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
The bear was on the move a lot and authorities attempted to keep up with it. At one point, the creature scampered into an open hatch under an apartment complex on Montrose Avenue, but emerged soon after.
UPDATE, 10:03 a.m.: Authorities are continuing to capture the bear that caused traffic on the 210 freeway to temporarily stop.
The bear stayed for a short time in the 2500 block of Montrose Avenue, but ran off, prompting a chase by authorities.
The bear is near a residence in the 2500 block of Piedmont Avenue. Fish and Game officials are still attempting to tranquilize the creature.
UPDATE, 9:23 a.m.: Officials with the Fish and Game Department, as well as officers with the CHP are on scene. Fish and Game have brought dogs to where the bear is belived to be on Fairway Avenue and will begin searching for it, authorities said.
PREVIOUSLY: Deputies are continuing to corral a bear that was wondering on the 210 freeway near La Crescenta Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had traffic stopped at La Crescenta Blvd. around 8:30 a.m. while the bear lumbered on the freeway. Deputies worked to scare the bear off the freeway until animal control personnel arrived, but the bear reportedly was unafraid of their sirens.
The bear is now reportedly off the freeway and is hunkered down in a residential backyard in the 2400 block of Fairway Avenue, according to Sheriff’s Deputies.
Eastbound traffic on the freeway now is open, according to the CHP.
This story will continue to be updated as information becomes available.
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