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Colorado Springs Police Warn Residents About Bear

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- A bear spotted in Colorado Springs prompted a warning to residents after an encounter with a police officer.

Sgt. Darrin Abbink said a bear was spotted at a main intersection in the city Thursday morning near an open space park. When an officer responded, Abbink said the bear reared up and growled.

Springs-Bear
(credit: Colorado Springs Police)

That led police to warn nearby residents to be on the alert and stay away from any bears they see.

Springs-bear-3
(credit: Colorado Springs Police)

Division of Wildlife spokesman Theo Stein described the animal's behavior as a "bluff charge" and said it's typical for a bear who feels threatened when someone gets too close.

A search failed to turn up the bear and officers assume it has wandered off.

Deer are often seen in nearby Palmer Park but mountain lions and bears are also seen occasionally.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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