After several bear sightings around the Valley and state, officials are reminding Arizonans to not feed wildlife -- for the animals' safety.
Bearizona said they just took in two orphaned 4-month-old bear cubs who were found in a large tree in a Pinetop-Lakeside neighborhood. Arizona Game and Fish Department officials euthanized a bear who was feeding on food provided daily by a resident.
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They were not aware that the bear was a mother to two cubs until a day after the bear was put down.
Game and Fish officials reportedly tried to relocate the bear before, but because this was the second attempt, they euthanized her. It's the same story for a bear that was spotted in Anthem last week -- it was seen in Prescott days before and had to be euthanized after its second residential-area sighting.
It's a reminder to not feed wildlife and keep food sources away so they do not become dependent on the human-provided sources in populated areas.
After a separate bear sighting in Mesa, officials said they expect more bear sightings due to the dryness and heat forcing them to go on the move to look for food and water.
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