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Bear found after escaping Helena rehab facility

Posted at 6:45 AM, Apr 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-19 08:45:47-04

HELENA – A black bear that escaped from Montana Wild’s wildlife rehabilitation center was found on the grounds behind the raptor enclosure around 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

According to Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the bear escaped overnight and managed to crawl through one layer of fence. 

FWP wardens located the bear hiding behind a small hut for raptors within the exterior fence at the center.

FWP tranquilized the bear before capturing it.

RELATED: Young black bear escapes from Montana rehab facility

Here is the full press release from FWP:

A bear that was reported as missing earlier today has been found on site at Montana WILD. The small, female black bear has been tranquilized and is being held in a culvert trap awaiting release to the wild near where it was found earlier this winter.

The bear enclosure at the wildlife rehabilitation facility at Montana WILD is surrounded by two layers of fencing. The bear was able to escape through the first layer of fence but not the second. FWP wardens found the bear hiding behind a mew (a small hut for raptors) within the exterior fence at the rehabilitation center.

The bear was brought to Montana WILD in February after it was found in an emaciated state with more than 200 porcupine quills in its mouth. It was scheduled to be released into the wild this spring.