Bear in the 'burbs: Cub sent packing after romp near homes

DUARTE, Calif. (AP) — A bear cub seen rooting through garbage cans and wandering in a suburban Los Angeles County foothill community was captured and released back into the wild.

The Los Angeles Times reports (http://lat.ms/230IVDD ) the bear — estimated to be about 100 pounds — was spotted Sunday roaming through yards, gardens and down streets in Duarte at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Sheriff's Lt. Ernest Bille says the cub climbed up and down a tree and hid behind homes while wildlife officials searched for it.

The bear was eventually tranquilized, caught and dropped off back in the mountains.

Officials say the cub was between 18 and 30 months old and capable of living independently in the wild.