Bear tranquilized after climbing up tree in Montclair

MONTCLAIR, New Jersey (WABC) -- A bear that wandered through the streets of Montclair, New Jersey Thursday afternoon before climbing up a tree has been tranquilized.

Police say the bear walked through the downtown business district first, along the storefronts on South Park Street before wandering around town and through backyards and then going up the tree.

The state's Division of Fish and Wildlife was dispatched to the scene after being notified by local animal control of the situation at around 1 p.m.

The bear climbed up a tree on Plymouth Street in the downtown area near The Crescent, a condo complex.

After the male bear weighing 107 pounds came down from the tree on its own, it was tranquilized by animal control experts, who followed it through more yards until the tranquilizer took effect.

It will be relocated to a safe area.

"It was determined that the bear is a male bear, about a year and half old, probably born last January," said Niki Dawson of Montclair Animal Control. "Very healthy, a lot of ticks but my crew picked those off to make him more comfortable."

Students at a nearby elementary school were instructed to stay inside for their own protection until school officials were given the all-clear from police.