A large bear spotted roaming Pacoima neighborhoods triggered school lockdowns before being tranquilized by wildlife officials. The 275-pound male bear has been tagged and will be released to the Angeles National Forest.
Three schools in the Pacoima area were placed on lockdown after a large bear was spotted roaming residential neighborhoods on Monday. The bear made its way down from the Angeles National Forest and walked through several backyards and driveways before being tranquilized by wildlife officials.
The incident occurred across the street from Sara Coughlin Elementary School. The bear was spotted in the area of Chivers Avenue and Terra Bella Street as it walked through several backyards.
"I came out, and he was actually over there in the neighbor's yard, backyard, and he came running around the front and ended up in the other neighbor's yard," said neighbor Jamie Chisam. "This area, like, you wouldn't expect a bear. We see coyotes, but not a bear, like a giant bear."
Another resident, Isaac Ramirez from Downey, shared his surprise.
"I'm from Los Angeles. I've never seen one," he said. "It's exciting. I've been watching them on TikTok. It has to be a first for me, seeing one in L.A."
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife responded to the neighborhood and tranquilized the animal. The bear fell asleep on top of a wall in the backyard of a home on Borden Avenue after it was tranquilized.
Wildlife officials estimate the male bear is around four to five years old and weighs 275 pounds. They checked it out, took its vitals, and said the bear is healthy. Officials also tagged the bear and placed a tracking collar on it.
"I love this about Los Angeles. You can have this giant city and then wildlife all together in one place," said Russ Shumaker.
Monday's bear sighting follows two others in the San Fernando Valley over the weekend. A bear was spotted at the Hansen Dam Golf Course in Pacoima on Sunday where some people got too close trying to take selfies. On Saturday, a bear was spotted in a Shadow Hills residential neighborhood where it chased chickens and knocked over trash cans.
It is unknown if the bear tranquilized on Monday is the same bear spotted in the other neighborhoods over the weekend, but officials believe it likely is.
The bear will now be released into the nearest suitable habitat, likely back in the Angeles National Forest. The lockdowns have since been lifted.
This article was generated with AI assistance.