Tranquilized Denver Bear Takes Tumble From Tree Safely To Ground

A young black bear took a tumble from a tree in Denver on Sunday after officers tranquilized the animal before moving it to safer ground. Colorado Parks and Wildlife posted about the incident on X, noting that crews responded near Louisiana Avenue and Pennsylvania Street. The agency clarified one detail with precision: this was not a typo. It happened right here in Denver.

"This morning we responded to a bear in a tree ... in Denver," the post read. "Not a typo. In Denver."

Officers used tranquilizers on the beast and coordinated with Denver Police Department staff to catch it once gravity took hold. The animal did not land smoothly, but officials confirmed the bear is okay. Footage shared in the thread captured the drop through branches before handlers secured the subject on the pavement.

GATLINBURG POLICE FREE BLACK BEAR THAT LOCKED ITSELF INSIDE HOTEL BATHROOM IN WILD VIRAL VIDEO CPW identified the animal as an approximately 1.5-year-old male yearling weighing about 100 pounds. The agency said the bear would be transported to better habitat and released.

The unusual Denver encounter comes as Colorado wildlife officials report an increase in bear activity this year, which they have linked to drought conditions and dwindling natural food sources. CPW received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, compared with 3,115 during the same period last year, according to the agency.

CPW also said in the X thread that drought conditions are driving more bears into neighborhoods in search of food. "You're not crazy, we are seeing more bear conflicts this year," CPW wrote. "The drought is forcing bears to seek food in our neighborhoods."

Wildlife officials are urging Coloradans to secure their trash until the morning of pickup, remove bird feeders and keep cars and windows locked to prevent bears from finding food around homes. The Denver encounter also came just days after a mother bear and cub wandered into the city's Harvey Park neighborhood. CPW tranquilized and relocated those animals after they remained in the populated area for several days.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns that bears can become increasingly active as they prepare for winter and search for enough calories to build their fat reserves.