The black bear that found its way to Rincon Point on Saturday had to be put down. Image: California Department of Fish & Wildlife
On Saturday, a black bear wandered onto the sand in front one Rincon, of California’s most famous waves. Officials have since announced that they euthanized it.
The bear, which weighed around 250 pounds, likely made its way to Rincon Point by wandering down Rincon Creek and through a residential neighborhood. Game wardens were called on Saturday afternoon when residents spotted the bear. “The bear was on Rincon Beach, running around,” Lt. J.C. Healy of the state Fish & Wildlife Department told The Tribune. “He finally settled on a hillside near some water.”
Although wardens hoped that it would turn around and find its way back to a place more fitting for a bear, by Sunday morning it was apparent that it wasn’t going anywhere, likely because it was sick. “At 6 a.m. today [Sunday], the bear was still there, and it appeared very lethargic,” Healy said. “Wardens approached and tranquilized the animal.”
Afterwards, the bear was taken to a clinic and examined by a vet. “Unfortunately, the health of the bear went downhill, and he had to be humanely euthanized,” Healy said. “He probably came down looking for an easy food source,” he added. “It’s hard to find food and water up in the back country. He was probably just trying to find some sort of sustenance.”
