Indiana Officials Could Tranquilize Bear To Take It Back To Michigan
CHICAGO (CBS) -- More close encounters with a black bear that has been hanging around Michigan City have prompted state officials to take a more aggressive stance to capture the bear, so it can be taken back to the wild in Michigan.
A couple living in the area where the bear has been spotted several times over the past month had another too-close-for-comfort encounter on Saturday, when a man came face-to-face with the bear on his back patio.
The bear was pawing at his back door. Similar incidents were reported earlier in the week.
Now, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has moved its bear expert, armed with a tranquilizer gun, into the area for a quick response.
Indiana Conservation Officer Tyler Brock said the bear is getting too close to people.
"Our concern would be public safety, because the bear is becoming more and more comfortable coming close to houses; and, really, the safety of the bear, where people may become concerned, and actually do harm to the bear," he said.
The IDNR has set a live trap to capture the bear, so it can be taken back to Michigan, and it drew the bear in, but it malfunctioned.