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Black Bear Spotted In Aspinwall

ASPINWALL (KDKA) – Officials had a bit of an issue trying to capture a black bear that was spotted in Aspinwall Wednesday morning.

According to officials, the bear was discovered in a tree on Fifth Street around 9 a.m.

This happened after it spent the morning walking about neighborhoods, visiting people's homes, knocking things about and leaving some tracks in the dirt.

Around 9:30 a.m. the Game Commission showed up and tranquilized the young bear. It would slowly slide down the tree. But, when it hit the ground, it literally hit the ground running.

The scared animal tried to escape by running down Fifth Street as dozens of residents pursued it.

Eventually, the black bear was cornered, but would run onto Route 28 and into traffic.

The bear was still drowsy from the tranquilizer and was nearly hit by a vehicle. It somehow made it across the traffic and went into the woods.

Eventually, law-enforcement and game officials assembled at Camp Guyasuta in Sharpsburg, where they believe the animal escaped to the safety of the heavy woods nearby.

"We have had reports of them in this valley before. Hasn't really been a big issue, they haven't really bothered anybody or gotten into much. They just tend to travel this river corridor here and every once in a while, we get a call about a bear," Game Commission Officer Dave Puhala said.

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