TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Police officers have spotted a black bear that's been running loose in a Florida neighborhood.
Tampa police said in a news release that an officer spotted the bear while responding to an unrelated call in a quiet, residential neighborhood about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. At first, the officer thought it was a large dog. But when he realized it was a bear, he followed it.
Eventually, he saw the bear had climbed a tree in the back yard of a home.
Police and officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission cordoned off the area and a trapper is waiting to tranquilize the animal.
Police say no one is in danger in the neighborhood, which is near Adventure Island, a water park across the street from Busch Gardens.
The bear will be returned to its natural habitat.
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