200-Pound Bear Pulled From Colorado Springs Tree
Colorado Springs Fire Department
Firefighters in Colorado more used to pulling frightened cats down from high trees had a change of pace Sunday when a 200-pound bear was found in a tree high above Colorado Springs.
The female black bear made its way into the tree Sunday morning but was not discovered by local residents until around 3 p.m., according to wildlife officials.
READ MORE: Bear Gets Trapped Inside Car, Totals It
The bear's ascent brought out both Colorado Springs' firefighters and officers from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department. Their first attempt to subdue the bear with a tranquilizer proved unsuccessful, pushing the bear to climb even higher up the tree, according to local ABC affiliate KMGH.
WATCH: Why Are Bears Popping Up Everywhere?
Officers fired a second tranquilizer shot and then watched, joined by a crowd of bewildered residents , and waited until they were sure the bear was fully sedated.
Around 8 p.m., nearly five hours after the bear was first spotted, it was removed from the tree.
READ MORE: Alaska Man Fights Off Bear
Dramatic photos posted to the city's fire department Twitter account show the bear being lowered by a fire truck ladder, which was required because the bear had climbed so high up the tree.
The bear will be rereleased into the wild but at a location at least 100 miles away from where it was found, wildlife officials said.