Black Bear, Earlier Seen Sleeping In Metuchen Tree, Heads Back To The Woods

METUCHEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A black bear seen earlier in the day taking an extended nap up a tree apparently decided he had enough media attention and made its way down on Monday night.

Around 9 p.m., the animal carefully wrapped his legs around branches and descended to the ground.  However, wildlife officials said they were unable to tranquilize the bear, which ended up walking into 300 acres of preserved land.

The bear had been hanging tight on a branch in Jim Shersick's backyard on Maple Avenue since 7 a.m. Monday morning.

"There's never been bears in Metuchen. This is truly amazing," Shersick said.

1010 WINS' Sonia Rincon Reports From Maple Avenue

All afternoon, the bear put on a show for neighbors featuring a little yawning and some stretching.  But what really got the crowd going was when he repositioned himself on the branch.

"It's exciting. It's not often that we have a bear here in Metuchen," Wendy Richards said.

"I just think he looks cute," one young girl told CBS 2's Emily Smith.

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