May 26, 2006

Las Cruces, New Mexico – A young, 125-pound male black bear that traveled a great distance to Las Cruces in search of food was captured Friday and returned to the Gila National Forest.

About 9 a.m. Friday, Department of Game and Fish conservation officers and the Dona Ana Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a bear wandering around a neighborhood in west Las Cruces. Officers darted the bear with a tranquilizer, then safely removed the animal from a tree and placed it in a carrier.

The bear was not posing any threats, and most likely had found its way into town in search of food, officers said. With little moisture in the mountains this year, bears' normal food sources of berries, acorns and greens are not as plentiful. Reliable water sources also are becoming scarce. The bear received an ear tag for future identification in case it returns to town or becomes a nuisance. In New Mexico, problem bears are tagged the first time they are trapped and relocated. If they have three encounters with humans, or if they become aggressive and dangerous, they are killed.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish encourages everyone to follow some simple precautions to minimize unwanted encounters with bears: Remove any bear attractants such as bird feeders – including hummingbird feeders -- pet food, grills and unsecured trash cans. Remember, a fed bear is a dead bear. People who make food available to bears are in effect training the bear to return again and again to that food source. It is a learned behavior that often is impossible to break, and in many cases is fatal to the bear.

If you have a problem bear visiting your residence, please contact your local Department of Game and Fish conservation officer. Officers will respond to most complaints, especially if there is a public safety concern. Sometimes, however, residents will be advised to bring children and pets inside, and usually the bear will leave within a few hours.