Maryland DNR officials safely remove bear from tree

Black bear tranquilized in Langley Park

A black bear spotted in Langley Park in Prince George's County was tranquilized and taken out of the area on Monday. FOX 5's Shirin Rajaee reports.

What we know:

LANGLEY PARK, Md. - A black bear that caused a stir in a Langley Park neighborhood Monday has been safely rescued after spending hours perched high in a tree in the 8300 block of Tahona Drive. The juvenile bear is believed to be the same one spotted roaming through parts of Montgomery County and Beltsville in recent days.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), along with Prince George’s County Police, managed the delicate operation that ended with the bear safely tranquilized and transported to a suitable habitat.

Maryland DNR officials safely remove bear from tree (Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

For nearly four hours, the young male bear—estimated to be about 1.5 years old—rested in the tree as experts waited for the right moment to act. Initially, the bear was about 50 feet off the ground, too high to be tranquilized safely due to the risk of injury from a fall.

"We did a little trick where we banged on the base of the tree, that brought him down to about 15 feet," said Paul Peditto of the Department of Natural Resources. "Then one of our biologists hit him perfectly right in the hand with a tranquilizer dart. About seven minutes later, he scooted down to about 10 feet… he just scooted his way down as he became more loopy and just fell asleep."

FOX 5’s Shirin Rajaee was on the scene shortly after the rescue and captured footage of the bear resting near the base of the tree as wildlife officials placed a tracking collar on him.

To ensure public safety, police had blocked off nearby streets and advised residents to remain indoors, keep pets inside, and secure any food.

What they're saying:

Derrick West, a local resident, shared how the incident disrupted his afternoon.

"I wasn’t necessarily worried about my safety, but I have three children so had to keep them inside. They were playing inside, had food on the grill I had to bring inside until they got the bear down," he said.

A neighbor also shared video with FOX 5 showing the bear climbing the tree and making himself comfortable, a moment that quickly drew crowds and cameras.

According to DNR, the bear likely began his journey in Montgomery County, with confirmed sightings in Beltsville on Sunday. After the rescue, wildlife officials fitted him with a research tracker to monitor his movements and relocated him to a designated bear habitat within the state.

Officials remind the public that black bears are typically more afraid of humans than we are of them. In the rare case of an encounter, experts advise making yourself look large, making loud noises, and avoiding direct interaction.

Thanks to careful planning and quick action, the situation ended without harm to the bear or the community. The scene is now clear, and the bear is safe.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff safely removed a black bear from a tree in the Silver Spring area on Monday after sedating it. 

Maryland DNR officials safely remove bear from tree (Maryland Department of Natural Resources)

Local perspective:

There’s been no shortage of bear sightings throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia in recent years. That includes in Northeast D.C., Arlington, Montclair, Rockville, Hyattsville, and Frederick.

Local officials are warning residents to be on the lookout in the coming weeks and months. In Fairfax County, for instance, an email went out late last week reminding residents to be "Bear Aware."

Officials also urge residents not to approach or feed bears and to remove potential food sources such as garbage, bird feeders, and pet food to prevent attracting them.

Dig deeper:

Maryland DNR’s Jonathan Trudeau spoke to FOX 5 about the possibility of seeing more bears in the area as the weather warms up. 

"The breeding season is starting to kick in. Those yearlings are dispersing and potentially dispersing long distances," Trudeau said. 

READ MORE: Be 'Bear Aware': Officials warn of increased sightings across DMV

Sightings should be reported to the DNR at 410-260-8888.