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Bear Climbs Tree In Residential Area Of Fair Lawn, N.J.

FAIR LAWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - Authorities have tranquilized a bear that climbed a tree in Fair Lawn Friday morning.

The bear climbed a tree on in the back yard of a home and office building on Fair Lawn avenue.

The bear was first spotted at around 7:30 a.m., CBS2's Reena Roy reported.

The bear has an orange tag, indicating he was previously tagged in New York state.

Fair Lawn Animal Control said the bear was almost 2 years old and weighed about 130 pounds.

Authorities believe the animal had been in the area for about a day and a half and had previously been spotted in Ridgewood and a county park.

The bear's appearance in town caused a stir, with many people stopping to look at their unexpected visitor.

"I was very excited and I haven't been to work since," joked Tracy Falone. "I've been down here. I've been up there with pictures. But it's a very exciting moment. It's probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me."

"The bear's unhurt. It's going to go back to its natural wildlife. No one else got hurt in the community. It's a really great outcome," said Fair Lawn Mayor John Cosgrove.

"Coolest thing in the world. Seriously, I've never seen anything like it. I just thought it was amazing," said Ann Steinberg.

He will be released back into the wild in western New Jersey.

The last time a bear was spotted in Fair Lawn was a year ago. Prior to that, it had been a decade since a bear had been spotted there.

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