A week of mild tension in San Tan Valley came to a comforting resolution after local authorities and wildlife officials successfully captured a bear cub that had been making its presence known in the area. According to ABC15, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office teamed up with the Arizona Game & Fish Department following several sightings of the juvenile bear, but initial attempts to locate it were fruitless.
Finally, on Saturday, the elusive cub was discovered high atop a palm tree near Arizona Farms and Felix Road, which had become its temporary refuge. Deputies from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office carefully monitored the situation until assistance could arrive. "Deputies found the animal perched near the top of a tall palm tree," as it was mentioned in the initial report by ABC15.
It seems that after the cub was spotted, a collective effort from various departments ensured the safe descent of the young bear. AZFamily notes that the Arizona Game & Fish Department facilitated the tranquilization of the bear, subsequently allowing firefighters from Rural Metro Fire and Queen Creek Fire & Medical to remove it from the tree without incident.
AZFamily also shared that the bear cub, affectionately referred to as Ted by authorities, has been taken into the care of the Arizona Game & Fish Department. Upcoming plans for Ted include his relocation to northern Arizona, where he will be given another chance to roam the wild expanses away from human interaction. Officials say the cub will be transported to northern Arizona, where he'll be released back into the wild, just as inhabitants of such ecosystems ought to be.
