Bear Wounded In Savage Spotted In Burnsville, Eagan
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The bear that's been spotted around the Twin Cities has made yet another appearance in the west metro.
Police say the same bear believed to be recently shot by an officer in Savage has now been seen in Burnsville. According to authorities, the bear was seen near 134th Street and Parkwood Avenue on Sunday.
Reports say the bear had a badly wounded rear left leg, which it was holding up when walking. By the time officers arrived, the bear was no longer in the area.
On Tuesday, police in Eagan tweeted a photo of the bear on James Street. The bear was also spotted around 6 a.m. at Galaxie Avenue and Narvik Drive in the city.
Officials are also warning residents about a different black bear roaming around Tamarack, east of Radio Drive in Woodbury.
About a month ago, there were bear sightings in Inver Grove Heights, as well.
Eagan Police, who say there have been five sightings of the bear, are currently looking for it -- along with animal control. The first time was by an Eagan police officer near the intersection of Slater and Rusten roads. The last sighting was around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday near Cliff and Johnny Cake Ridge roads.
They say anyone who sees the bear should not engage it. They also warn people to remove any food sources from outside their homes and to put the trash out in the morning, not overnight.
Police and the Department of Natural Resources say bear sightings at this time of year are not uncommon -- and if you do spot it, call authorities.
"Your first call should be to the local police department. No one likes to see these animals killed just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but sometimes that's the only real option," said Capt. Greg Salo in a DNR news release.
