Bear tranquilized, moved away from Everett

Published 10:29 pm Friday, May 29, 2009

EVERETT — Everett police and state Fish &Wildlife officials tranquilized a large black bear near the Snohomish River delta Friday afternoon.

The bear, which had been spotted wandering around Everett since late Wednesday, was spotted by police around noon Friday, Everett police Sgt. Robert Goetz said.

People had called 911 earlier in the day to report seeing the bear walking toward the rail yards at the north end of the city, he said.

Police kept an eye on the bear until wildlife officials arrived.

Colter, a Karelian bear dog recently introduced to the Fish and Wildlife team, helped track the bear, said Martha Jordan, who runs www.washingtonbeardogs.com.

Officials hit the bear with a medicine-laced dart to put it to sleep so it could be relocated to a wilderness area.

Black bears often make their way to urban areas in the early spring looking for food.

Officials recommend taking in garbage and bird seed to discourage the animals from getting accustomed to inhabited areas.

In the meantime, Everett police said they were pleased to see the bear moved along.

“We hope he enjoyed his stay in Everett,” Goetz said.