NEWS
Bears spotted in Northwest Albuquerque, one nearly jumps into pool
Department of Wildlife: Mother bear was found and tranquilized, cub was captured hours later
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A mama bear decided to sunbathe in a Northwest Albuquerque neighborhood before the New Mexico Department of Wildlife came and tranquilized the animal on Sunday. Hours later, they captured her cub.
On Sunday morning, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a call of a mother bear and cub seen inside backyards in the 9500 block of Sonterro NW, near Interstate 40 and Arroyo Vista, APD spokesperson Gilbert Gallegos said in an email.
According to two videos provided by APD, the bear walked on the grass at one home and laid down, then climbed over a wall and walked to the edge of a swimming pool before deciding not to dip her claws in the water.
鈥淭he bears posed a potential threat to residents, but also to themselves,鈥� NMDOW spokesperson Darren Vaughan said. 鈥淚t was because of this that department officers decided to capture both bears.鈥�
After officers arrived, a drone was launched, directing them to the bear, Gallegos said.
鈥淭he bears were actively trying to keep their distance and avoid the officers and surrounding human activity,鈥� Vaughan said.
The Department of Wildlife tranquilized the mother bear at about 11:30 a.m. Hours later, at 9 p.m., they captured the cub, he said.
Vaughan said due to drought conditions, there has been a 鈥渧ery high number of bear sightings across the state, though the exact number is unknown.鈥�
鈥淥fficers are responding to multiple sightings every day across New Mexico,鈥� he said.
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
