City of Puyallup officials have closed Bradley Lake Park today as a precautionary measure after a juvenile black bear was sited in the park.
The park will remain closed over the weekend while officers from the State Department of Fish and Wildlife try to track, tranquilize and remove the bear from the park. The Puyallup Police Department is assisting.
An attempt to apprehend the bear occurred yesterday, April 3, but Fish and Wildlife officers were unable to trap and tranquilize the bear before dark.
Park-goers spotted the bear a few days ago and a confirmed sighting from Metro Animal Services happened yesterday.
It is important to note the closure is a precautionary measure, said Puyallup Spokewoman Glenda Carino.
“It’s really important that people know that the bear has caused no harm,” she said. “The bear hasn’t been chasing any people. People have been chasing the bear.”
One concern is that often times when there is a juvenile bear around an adult bear is close by, Carino said. No adult has been spotted, but every precaution is being taken.
There have been no reports of the bear digging through garbage for food, Carino said, which is good.
“Once it becomes a garbage bear then it becomes a problem,” she said.
People are encouraged to stay away from the park until the bear is captured.
The park will reopen once the bear is removed.