KGUN 9News

Actions

Another bear sighting on Mount Lemmon near East Organization Ridge

Posted at 6:26 PM, Jun 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-16 23:18:43-04

Another report of a bear sighting on Mount Lemmon near East Organization Ridge behind the Palisades Ranger Residence Cabin, according to Mark Hart with Arizona Game and Fish. 

Hart says a young camper spotted what looked to be a cub roaming around. He says the department later learned of bear tracks from a large and small bear by a water source.

"This place is really populated and I thought the bears would stay away, but apparently not," said Ed Gonzales, who was fishing at Rose Canyon Lake Friday morning. 

The Rose Canyon Lake area just reopened this morning after it was closed for a couple days after there were two sightings of a large black bear. 

William Hughes was one of the people escaping the heat to go fishing with his family. He says fishing is his favorite past time and he is trying to teach his children. 

He explained he isn't worried to be by the lake despite the recent sightings. 

"For us we have come here enough I have never necessarily worried about that, I mean it could be a little concern because it was recent," he said. 

With the cooler temperatures on Mount Lemmon, Hart believes it will be a busy weekend. 

He advises if campers encounter a bear, they should stand their ground, wave their arms above their head and make loud noises. 

Hart says although it is normal to see bears roaming on Mount Lemmon, the ones that could potentially be dangerous are bears looking into trailers, cabins and tents because they are associating people with food.