v

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

A black bear spotted in a Dartmouth park has been safely removed.

The Department of Natural Resources says the “young” bear was in a tree in the Dartmouth Commons.

“We are pleased to report that DNRR staff were able to successfully tranquilize the bear,” said department spokesperson Erin Lynch in an email. “The bear landed on mattresses that were used to break its fall.”

Lynch says staff were working to re-locate the bear to a “more appropriate” area.

The situation prompted police to ask people to stay away from the park and saw nearby schools put into lockdown.

“As bears get closer to hibernation, they are looking to eat as much as they can to put on weight for the winter,” Lynch said. “They will seek out readily accessible food like green bins and garbage bins.”

More information on how to avoid attracting bears can be found at https://novascotia.ca/natr/wildlife/nuisance/bears.asp.