Bear sprints through Castaic neighborhood

Wildlife officials and first responders spent the better part of Monday afternoon attempting to capture a wayward bear running through a Castaic neighborhood after it was first spotted taking a nap in a tree.

The bear was seen in a tree at Violin Canyon Road and Van Gorder Way before it hopped down and took off running.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed they had deputies on the scene along with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Officers were attempting to tranquilize the bear to safely relocate it away from homes.

It eventually disappeared into a storm drain next to Lake Castaic, though by about 2:45 p.m., the bear was spotted again near Lake Hughes and Ridge Route roads.

Later, the young adult bear, a male, which officials said weighs between 120 and 170 pounds, made its way up a tree where wildlife officials said they would not use a tranquilizer dart on the animal for fear that it could fall and injure itself.

Several hours later, at around 5:35 p.m., the bear was spotted swimming in the lake before popping out of the water and leading officials on yet another pursuit.

Sky5 reporter Gil Leyvas reported that along with the tranquilizer dart gun, officials were also armed with an airsoft rifle loaded with pepper balls as they attempted to direct the bear toward his regular habitat.

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