By Jon Johnson
THATCHER – Authorities treed an adult, male black bear after it ran through Thatcher on Thursday. The bear was estimated to be 15 years or older and was in poor health. Per Arizona Game and Fish Department Policy, the bear was euthanized after being taken by a Game and Fish officer.
According to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report, the bear was first reported at about 2:17 p.m. in the area of Reay Lane and Frye Creek Wash.
The bear was then seen rummaging through the area of 1st Avenue and Old Comfort Lane. Deputies from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office joined with officers from Thatcher and Pima police departments and Graham County Animal Control to chase after the bear as it ran through a farm field and then made its way over fences through multiple residences.
The bear eventually climbed a tree in the backyard of a residence in the 2500 block of Chalmers Lane, and law enforcement kept it at bay until an Arizona Game & Fish officer arrived and tranquilized it. The bear was then removed from the area and euthanized under department policy. That policy came about after a young girl was attacked on Mount Lemmon near Tucson in 1996 by a relocated male black bear.
“We’ve had a lot of bears throughout the state that have been caught, and we do release a lot of them. But adult male bears are one exception just because of the danger that they potentially pose, you know, and the problems that have happened in the past,” said Mark Frieberg, Arizona Game and Fish Department Public Affairs Community Liaison.
Frieberg said several bear sightings have been reported in Southern Arizona recently, including multiple in the Tucson area. Bears are in search of resources, such as food and water, and are drawn to any such availability.
Game and Fish is also monitoring a bear that has been spotted multiple times around Riggs Lake. Still, Frieberg said, since the bear has essentially walked along the shoreline and then retreated into the woods, no other action is warranted at this time.
“Just a reminder to folks, you know, whether they’re going out camping over the weekend or just even at home in the Safford, Thatcher Valley, a reminder to not leave food out where wildlife can access it, or especially bears. Because we don’t want these bears coming off the mountain and then finding food and resources down in town.”
The black bear is the only bear species found in Arizona, and it generally hibernates from November to March. They are omnivores with a range of 7–50 square miles and primarily live in woodland habitats in Arizona. While they are called black bears, they range in color from black to brown and even blonde in some cases, with males growing up to about 350 pounds and females to about 250 pounds.
Tips to avoid attracting bears
When camping
- Keep food and attractants secured and inaccessible to bears. Do not keep food in a tent.
- Don’t burn leftover food or trash on the grill.
- Set up a campsite away from places where bears might forage for food, such as creeks, rivers, and other bodies of water.
When hiking
- Don’t wear scented lotions or perfumes.
- Make noise or hike in groups.
- Hiking with a pet? Please keep it on a leash at all times.
In case of a bear encounter
- Do NOT run.
- Back away slowly while maintaining eye contact with the bear.
- Make yourself appear larger than you are by flaunting your arms or pulling your shirt or jacket up higher than your head.
- Throw items and yell at the bear.
- If attacked, fight back.
Bear sightings in areas with human activity should be reported to AZGFD by calling 623-236-7201. For questions or to obtain a brochure on living with bears, visit www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conservation/living-with-wildlife/.
Source – Arizona Game and Fish Department
