A black bear was found wandering around downtown Portland on Friday before it was eventually tranquilized and taken into custody.
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At approximately 10:30 a.m., the Portland Police Department responded to reports of a bear sighting in the area of York Street.
The animal continued travelling through the city as police coordinated a response.
Police monitored the bear’s movements and established a safety perimeter and to keep it away from people and businesses.
Officers followed the bear through “several” downtown areas.
The animal eventually entered the basement-level parkaing garage of the Portland Harbor Hotel, around the intersection of Union and Fore Street.
Police secured the area and Maine Game Wardens responded along with state wildlife biologists responded.
They tranquilized the bear and captured it. The animal was brought to a suitable habitat and released into the wild.
