Wildlife officials used a tranquilizer dart to bring down a bear stumbling drunk through Lyons, Colo., as children set off for school.
Around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, a woman watering her backyard said she was startled by the female bear, estimated to be about 4 years old, KCNC-TV, Denver reported Wednesday.
Deputies responded quickly, as many children would soon be on the streets headed for Lyons Elementary School, the television station said. Those already at the school were herded into the gymnasium as a precaution.
The deputies fired a beanbag projectile at the bear in hopes it would set off on its own but it kept meandering near the school. State Division of Wildlife officers shot the bear with a tranquilizer dart.
They said the bear had most likely been eating rotting apples in preparation for winter hibernation, which made it drunk, the report said.
The bear was tagged for its first offense and Wednesday was taken to a higher elevation for release, officials told KCNC.
Drunken Bear Released After Sleep-Off
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