Black bear camps in tree in Ore. city's downtown

[July 02, 2010]  SISTERS, Ore. (AP) -- A black bear made a surprise stop in the downtown of a small central Oregon city.

Craig Derksen, a teacher from Singapore visiting Central Oregon, was sitting under a tree Wednesday reading when someone screamed, "Bear!"

A black bear ran by him and up a tree in the middle of downtown Sisters, population about 1,900.

With more than 100 people watching, agents from the Department of Fish and Wildlife tried to coax the bear down with barbecue sauce and cantaloupe.

The bear eventually climbed down, roamed through neighborhoods and headed out of town.

Wildlife biologist Steve George says the bear was likely kicked out of its own territory by a stronger bear, and came to Sisters looking for a new place to live.

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Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com/

[Associated Press]

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