MANCHESTER, NH – An elusive black bear escaped capture after he climbed a tree and was cornered for a one-hour stand-off in a tree in the area of Lake Avenue and Spruce Street.
The bear, estimated to be about 1 year old and 120 pounds, made his way from the highway, according to NH State Police, who spotted the bear around exits 7 and 8, near Wellington Road. The bear then crossed Derryfield golf course and walked into residential areas off Bridge Street, crossing several backyards. Manchester Police set up a perimeter to try and capture the bear, who climbed up a tree and held officials at bay.
Police called Manchester fire to assist, and officials were preparing to tranquilize the animal when the bear suddenly descended, and the chase continued.
The bear crossed several streets ending up on Hospital Avenue, adjacent to Elliot Hospital. The bear climbed another tree as a large
crowd gathered. Fish and Game Department conversation officers climbed a tree to tranquilize the bear, but the bear wasn’t having any of it [see video below].
Instead, the bear climbed down the tree and ran across several properties, ending up at the New Day Diner, on Cypress and Massabesic streets.
The bear climbed another tree in the area, and Fish & Game officers were going to keep a watchful eye, but decided to end the search as night was falling, expecting that the bear will find its way back to the woods under cover of darkness.
Jeffrey Hastings contributed video, content and reporting to this story.
