RICHMOND, Va. — A bear was spotted in a Richmond neighborhood Thursday morning. Video captured by CBS 6 shows the bear on a resident's roof.
VCU police said they were called to the Oregon Hill area around 7 a.m. Thursday. Officers contained the bear in a few back yards until Richmond Animal Control and the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources arrived.
Police said DWR biologists secured the bear around 11 a.m.
"Once it wakes up from a brief nap, it will be relocated to a wildlife management area," a social media post from police says.
DWR said the bear will be observed overnight to ensure it does not have any health issues.
Police warn residents to never attempt to capture a black bear on their own and noted that residents did the right thing by not trying to lure the bear with food.
"Spring months are busy for black bears, as they emerge from their winter dens hungry and in search of easy meals. Items like garbage, compost piles, barbecue grills fired seed and pet food fit the bill," police said. "While bears are naturally cautious of humans, food is a bigger reward."
"The bear was a young male and as it typical in spring, young male black bears leave the den in search of their own territory. As these bears travel, they sometimes find food and shelter in areas that aren't suitable. When this happens, best practice is to observe the bear, keep the public away, remove food items from the area, and let the bear find its own way. Sometimes the Department needs to remove the bear when this can't happen safely," DWR said.
To report a wildlife siting, call the Wildlife Contact Helpline at 1-855-571-9003. For more information, click here.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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