Black Bear Spotted in Orcutt is On Its Way to a Proper Habitat
Jarrod Zinn
ORCUTT, Calif. – Some Orcutt residents woke up this morning to a “bear-y” unusual visitor in town.
Between midnight to 4 a.m. Tuesday, several people called CHP to report a large black bear roaming through Orcutt.
“Couldn’t find the bear. He’s being sneaky. And then around 6 a.m., we got another call. Our officers started tracking it,” says Maria Barriga, with CHP Santa Maria.
Witnesses said the bear appeared to stroll in from the area of foster road along union valley parkway.
Several residents recorded the bear on their phones as it casually cruised through town.
“No reports of it being agitated or any aggression against anyone. Was just kind of wandering around trying to figure out, I think, where to go, kind of hopping over fences, climbing trees, falling out of trees, you know,” says Barriga.
CHP officers located and isolated the animal, then called Fish and Wildlife to the scene.
“I think our officers did a great job in finding him because obviously he eluded us last night and then again about 4:00 in the morning. But what really helps is when the public reports on it,” says Barriga.
Authorities commended local residents for calmly reporting the bear’s presence and giving it space.
“If you see a bear or any other type of wildlife,” Officer Barriga says, “please report it right away. Give us a location that you see it and the location that it’s traveling, which will help us. And just remember to give it distance.”
Smarter than the average bear, it came to a small park near Ruby Crest Court and climbed this tree, where Fish and Wildlife humanely tranquilized it and transported it away.
“Well, he eluded us, I guess, at midnight and 4 a.m.,” Barriga said laughing, “so he was a little bit on the smarter side.”
Authorities say the bear is now being kept in safe conditions, it’s “bear necessities” met by professionals, while being transported to a more suitable habitat.
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