CANMORE — A black bear that had lost its fear of people and could not be subdued by three doses of tranquilizer has been shot dead by police and wildlife officers in western Alberta.
The bear was put down last weekend in Canmore, west of Calgary, after it had rummaged through yards and public areas looking for food.
RCMP say dozens of calls came in Sunday about the bear, which had climbed a tree on a walking trail in the heart of the town.
Mounties, along with Fish and Wildlife officers, decided to relocate the 136-kilogram bruin, but three tranquilizer darts failed to put it to sleep.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Brad Freer says everything was done to get the bear down, but unfortunately it became aggressive and had to be killed.
Police believe the bear’s heightened level of adrenaline made it immune to the darts’ contents.