Black Bear Pops Up Again In South Metro
SAVAGE, Minn. (WCCO) -- The black bear that's been sighted numerous times in the southern Twin Cities metro area during the past week has popped up once again.
According to Savage Police, the bear was spotted at about 1 p.m. Thursday on the 14100 block of Vernon Avenue. It was seen behind a nearby business, and then it disappeared into a wooded area.
Both police and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources were called to the scene.
Officials with School District 191 reported that the bear had also been sighted near Harriet Bishop Elementary School in Savage, and that children in the area were not being allowed to walk or bike home but, instead, would have to be picked up by parents.
The bear was first sighted in the area just before Memorial Day weekend. The bear was observed a few times between McColl Drive and Connely Parkway. Then, later last Friday evening, it cruised past Town and Country Campground just to the west along Eagle Creek.
A Savage Police officer shot at the bear but ended up only grazing it.
According to the DNR, black bears rarely venture closer than the forest fringes of the north metro.