A young black bear found itself in a precarious situation in Denver on Sunday, taking a hard fall from a tree after being tranquilized by wildlife officers. This measure was taken to relocate the bear to a safer environment.
In a social media update on X, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) detailed the incident that took place near the intersection of Louisiana Avenue and Pennsylvania Street in Denver.
“Today, we encountered a bear up a tree… in Denver,” the post humorously noted. “No mistake here. Yes, in Denver.”
On August 23, 2026, a tranquilized black bear descends from a tree as officers from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, alongside Denver police, tend to the scene in Denver. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife NE Region)
According to CPW, after sedating the bear, wildlife officers collaborated with the Denver Police Department to ensure a safe catch as it descended from the tree.
“It didn’t have the smoothest landing, but the bear is ok!” authorities said.
Video posted as part of the X thread showed the bear dropping through branches before officers secured the animal on the ground.
A young black bear sits in a tree in Denver before Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers tranquilized and removed it on Aug. 23, 2026. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife NE Region)
ALSO READ: Iran Protesters Target New Zealand Game with Disruption Plan
CPW identified the animal as an approximately 1.5-year-old male yearling weighing about 100 pounds. The agency said the bear would be transported to better habitat and released.
The unusual Denver encounter comes as Colorado wildlife officials report an increase in bear activity this year, which they have linked to drought conditions and dwindling natural food sources.
CPW received 6,129 reports of bear sightings and conflicts between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, compared with 3,115 during the same period last year, according to the agency.
A Colorado Parks and Wildlife officer prepares the tranquilized bear for transport after it was removed from a tree in Denver on Aug. 23, 2026. (Colorado Parks and Wildlife NE Region)
CPW also said in the X thread that drought conditions are driving more bears into neighborhoods in search of food.
“You’re not crazy, we are seeing more bear conflicts this year,” CPW wrote. “The drought is forcing bears to seek food in our neighborhoods.”
Wildlife officials are urging Coloradans to secure their trash until the morning of pickup, remove bird feeders and keep cars and windows locked to prevent bears from finding food around homes.
The Denver encounter also came just days after a mother bear and cub wandered into the city’s Harvey Park neighborhood. CPW tranquilized and relocated those animals after they remained in the populated area for several days.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife warns that bears can become increasingly active as they prepare for winter and search for enough calories to build their fat reserves.