The Rio Rico nuisance bear is back according to Arizona Game and Fish Department.
The bear is the same bear that was relocated on Nov. 2nd and now because it won't go away - AZGFD will have to euthanize the bear if it returns.
It has been seen getting into garbage, back yards, climbing apple trees and persisting in the neighborhood.
Rio Rico black bear returns after @azgfd relocated the bear. They plan to kill the bear if they find it. Officials say it takes one person to not follow simple rules - secure trash, get rid of bird feeders, clean up fallen fruit. @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/s0Vj7rBotr
— Jennifer Martinez (@Jennymartineztv) November 22, 2017
AZGFD say that relocation of a bear only works about half the time but they stress that the fate of the bear lies on residents and what they can do so it won't return.
Bears usually get accustomed to dumpster diving and once that happens it's hard to unlearn the behavior.
The Rio Rico black bear weighs 225 pounds and after being relocated in the beginning of November - it turned up just a few days later on November 9th. The bear then disappeared and officials believe the bear went to Pena Blanca Lake but returned last weekend.
Mark Hart with Arizona Game and Fish Department says it's the same bear because of the tag on its ear.
Hart says, bears can travel more than 100 miles to return to the place they were relocated from.
"The fate of the bear is really in the hands of the residents if they can all secure their garbage, take down bird feeders, pick up fruit falling from trees -- that bear won't have be lethally removed," says Hart.
If you see the bear, call 623-236-7201. Officials say do not approach the bear as the behavior of male bears can be unpredictable.
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