Wily bear in Dawson City avoids capture

They first laid out the traps last week, but the bear had apparently moved on.

It didn't go far.

"The bear is back in the neighbourhood again," said conservation officer Kirby Meister. "This is one we'd like to move out."

The bear has been spotted numerous times near people's homes in Dawson City.Meister said the black bear has been lurking close tohomes, getting into garbage and compost bins, and justbeing "fairly bold."

"People occasionally run into it in the evenings, and when that happens, the bear doesn't act aggressively toward peoplebut it doesn't show any fear of people, either. So we're a bit concerned.

"[Residents] are worried they're going to keep bumping into it, at very close range."

Traps have been laidagainand Meister said officers will keep trying to move the bear.

"Usually, a bear downtown we're able to catch it, and move it pretty quickly,within a day or two.Or else theyleave ontheir own within a day or two.

"But this one's a bit unusual in that sense,in that it's just sticking around and it's so far smarter than us."