Bear Found Wandering Near Federal Heights Already Back In The Wild

FEDERAL HEIGHTS, Colo. (CBS4) - A bear that was roaming through suburban backyards near Federal Heights on Monday morning is already back in the wild.

Copter4 spotted the bear wandering through a backyard of a home at 8361 Shoshone and stopping to rest at about 7:30 a.m. A few minutes later it climbed a fence and then was trotting down a sidewalk.

The animal is between two to three years old and weighs about 300 pounds.

Wildlife officials tranquilized the bear and it fell asleep in a backyard at 84th and Shoshone after hopping another fence. They then took the animal into the front yard so neighbors could get a look at it.

Authorities with the Division of Parks & Wildlife told CBS4 it's very early in the season to be seeing a bear in Denver's suburbs.

Wildlife officers didn't release an exact location but said the bear is at an altitude above 8,000 feet.

Drought concerns could mean more bears may head into towns and cities in Colorado during the warm months this year.

Parents should keep a close eye on their younger children when they play outside.