MARYSVILLE – It might be confusion or a taste for garbage.
It’s likely both that has drawn a young bear to neighborhoods in east Marysville, a state wildlife agent said.
“The little devil is confused and he’s running around. He or she isn’t a threat. It’s just trying to get out of Dodge,” said Randy Lambert, a sergeant with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
In recent weeks a bear has been spotted on several occasions between 64th Street NE and Soper Hill Road.
On Thursday a bear was seen nosing through trash at Allen Creek Baptist Church, police said.
Marysville police, Washington State Patrol troopers and wildlife agents searched the area for the bear.
“He won’t stay in one place. He keeps hop-scotching around,” Lambert said.
While the bear isn’t believed to be a threat, Lambert expected to set out a trap in an attempt to nab the animal and remove him from the neighborhood.
The bear, believed to be about 2 years old, likely was sent off by its mother and is looking to set up its own territory, Lambert said.
“He’s like a teenager. He’s on his own,” he said. “He’s looking for something to eat, and like a teenager he’s eating garbage instead of berries.”
It’s unclear if the bear is the same one that was spotted in southern Arlington earlier this month. Bear sightings are not uncommon, Lambert said.
Bears tend to avoid people and in most cases will move on if they’re given plenty of room.
People are advised to keep their trash and pet food locked up. They also are encouraged not to use bird feeders, which can attract bears and call wildlife agents or police if they see a bear.
“Just give us a call,” Lambert said. “If it’s a threatening situation or the bear just won’t leave, we will come out.”
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