More Bear Sightings, Oh My!

Authorities shot and killed a 250-pound black bear after it wandered into the heavy populated recreation area near Lake Minnetonka.

According to the Orono Police Department, at approximately 12:35 p.m. on June 7 a family flagged down police after witnessing a black bear at the intersection of Sunset Drive and Shadywood Road near Lord Fletcher's Restaurant in Spring Park. Officers on scene confirmed the bear was an adult black bear located by the volleyball courts at Lord Fletcher's.

Within the area of the bear were hundreds of people at the restaurant, people boating and fishing, as well as residents and their pets that live in Spring Park and Orono.

Due to the concern for the safety of the people in the condensed area and tranquilizers not available, the bear was put down.

Earlier, the Chaska Police Department said on Facebook a bear was sighted in the area of Cascade Drive and Guardian Angels Cemetery. The Department of Natural Resources is aware of the sighting.

After a bear sighting in New Ulm, the police department has one message for locals: Leave the animal alone.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, the department encouraged residents not to approach the bear.

"This includes trying to take photos or a selfie," the post read.

The Goodhue County dispatch office fielded 20 '911' calls on Friday about a black bear spotting.

Turns out the black bear was right outside the Goodhue County Law Enforcement Center. Though sighting bears in not uncommon in this part of Minnesota, it was a little close for comfort.

Officers followed the bear until it ran into the woods.

The sheriff's office posted on its Facebook page, "No worries to the public as black bears are skittish and this one left the area as fast as it arrived."

The office also jokingly wrote the bear was looking for Hanish's doughnuts, but it was a few blocks short.