HOLBROOK, AZ (AZFamily) \u2014 Holbrook is a popular stop along Route 66 for travelers and tourists, but a recent guest traveling with just the \u201cbear\u201d necessities caused quite a stir in the community. <\/p>\n
\u201cNever thought we would be seeing a bear in the city,\u201d said Brandon Smigiel, the city\u2019s animal control officer.<\/p>\n
Somehow, a bear ended up wandering around downtown Holbrook late Tuesday into early Wednesday. \u201cThe last bear that we could find records of being in the city limits is about 10 years ago,\u201d said Smigiel.<\/p>\n
Smigiel said they typically only deal with dogs, cats, and the occasional coyote, so when he got the call around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, he could barely believe it. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was at home sleeping, and they called me, I even asked the sergeant, are you sure it\u2019s not a dog? And they were like, no, it\u2019s the bear.\u201d<\/p>\n
While they were monitoring the bear, Smigiel said it made a run for a nearby power pole and climbed all the way to the top. Game and Fish arrived to help. <\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the challenging location of the bear, we were able to safely dart it from the ground and get it down safely,\u201d said Stevie Keslo with Arizona Game and Fish.<\/p>\n
Once sedated, they learned it was a young male black bear who was definitely out of his element. \u201cThe reason the bear was in the town of Holbrook was food and water. It\u2019s been a hot and dry year, which means that bears are more likely to wander further while they\u2019re looking for food and water,\u201d said Kelso.<\/p>\n
Here are some tips from Game and Fish to avoid attracting bears. <\/p>\n
When campingKeep food and attractants secured and inaccessible to bears. Do not keep food in a tent. Don\u2019t burn leftover food or trash on the grill.Set up a campsite away from places where bears might forage for food, such as creeks, rivers and other bodies of water.When hikingDon\u2019t wear scented lotions or perfumes.Make noise or hike in groups.Hiking with a pet? Keep it on a leash at all times.In case of a bear encounterDo NOT run.Back away slowly while maintaining eye contact with the bear.Make yourself as large and imposing as possible. Stand upright and wave your arms, jacket or other items. Make loud noises, such as yelling, whistles, and, if camping, banging pots and pans.Throw items and yell at the bear.If attacked, fight back with everything in your power \u2013 fists, sticks, rocks, and E.P.A.-registered bear pepper spray.<\/p>\n
\u201cGive the bear a chance to leave the area and if it doesn\u2019t then you can start to slowly walk away while continuing to face the bear. Maintain eye contact and back towards the safe location,\u201d said Kelso.<\/p>\n
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