Pre-BEAR before takeoff! Young black bear is captured after climbing a fence at the Tampa airport and wandering on the tarmac
- The bear was spotted by a TSA agent on Tuesday on the north side of Tampa International Airport near the staff parking lot
- Authorities set up a “robust premiere” of about 40 to 50 acres to track the bear’s movements after it climbed a fence to enter
- He tried several more times to get over the fence to escape on Wednesday before being safely ‘lured’ into a trap and released into the woods.
A small bear was poised to hop on the next flight from Tampa International Airport earlier this week, but was safely captured before it had a chance.
The young black bear had climbed a fence at the Florida airport and was caught on camera wandering the tarmac.
The bear was spotted Tuesday by a TSA agent on the north side of the property near the staff parking lot, according to Tampa International Airport Executive Vice President of Operations John Tiliacos.
Authorities set up a “robust premiere” of about 40 to 50 acres on Tuesday to track the bear’s movements, but it remained hidden in the wooded area near the parking lot. Local and government agencies used infrared helicopters to track the sneaky bear at night.
The next day he “tried to get out of the woods several times” and climb the fence again. Authorities tried twice to stun the bear, but were unsuccessful, police said Tampa Bay Times.
The young black bear had climbed a fence at the Florida airport and was caught on camera wandering the tarmac. The bear was spotted Tuesday by a TSA agent on the north side of the property near the staff parking lot, according to Tampa International Airport Executive Vice President of Operations John Tiliacos.
Authorities set up a “robust premiere” of about 40 to 50 acres on Tuesday to track the bear’s movements, but it remained hidden in the wooded area near the parking lot. Local and government agencies used infrared helicopters to track the sneaky bear at night
Finally, the bear was ‘lured’ into a trap and caught safely.
“No one was injured,” he said. “The bear was caught safe and unharmed, so all’s well that ends well.”
There were also “no disruptions to airport operations,” Tiliacos said.
The bear was captured by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and moved to Ocala National Forest on Wednesday.
It is the first time a bear has entered the airport grounds rack revealed. However, the airport does employ a wildlife biologist, as birds, coyotes, and turtles are frequent visitors.
Finally, the bear was ‘lured’ into a trap and caught safely. The bear was captured by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and moved to Ocala National Forest on Wednesday
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it has been tracking several bear sightings in recent weeks as young bears — between 1.5 and 2.5 years old — first began to leave their mothers’ homes.
During this time, bears can be seen in unexpected areas as they travel in search of a new location to settle, the agency said. ABC news.
“Most of the time, these bears will move on their own. If you see a bear, give it space, don’t try to approach it and never feed it,” the message read.