Sunday evening, Game and Fish was contacted by Prescott Valley Police who reported a bear was spotted in the Prescott Valley Old Town Plaza parking lot. Officials say two Prescott Valley officers responded and located the bear, which was up a tree at a nearby residence. Wildlife managers responded, tranquilized the bear and safely relocated it. Officials say garbage stored outside is often the most common bear attractant. A study conducted by the town of Pinetop-Lakeside in the 1990s found that homeowners that left their garbage outside had a 70-percent chance of being visited by a bear. If the residence was near a thickly wooded area or at the edge of a housing development, the chances were even higher. Residents are asked to do their part to not attract bears by keeping all trash inside a secured area until collection day, taking bird feeders down at night and keeping pet food inside or remove all uneaten food. Officials say residents should call 911 if they’re in a life-threatening situation with a bear. Otherwise call Game and Fish.
