YAVAPAI COUNTY, AZ (AZAfamily) — A curious mother bear and her two cubs were safely relocated after they were caught rummaging through trash and wandering through neighborhoods in Yavapai County.

According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, officers were on patrol in Crown King, about 33 miles northwest of Black Canyon City, when a homeowner stopped them. A resident said three bears got into the garbage in his garage.

Game and Fish officials said the female bear and the cubs have been sighted several times in the past few months. Although the bears are not acting aggressively towards humans, they have become “increasingly comfortable” in populated areas.

Wildlife officers tranquilised the three bears and captured the female and a cub. However, the second cub got into a fight by climbing a lamppost and getting tangled up in telephone lines before falling asleep.

Due to the altitude and nearby electrical equipment, wildlife officers called APS for assistance. An APS worker made the 37-mile trek from Prescott to Crown King and safely put the cub down.

Officers later discovered that one of the puppies had a previous infection in one of its legs. The cub was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center and treated with antibiotics.

After being deemed safe, the mother bear and her cubs were safely released to a remote area on Monday.

The Ministry reminds people that they must comply food and garbage are secured and inaccessible to wild animals.

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