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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

WILDLIFE

Did I miss Blueberry Fest?

Bear in the park causes a stir in Ely

Keith Vandervort
Posted 8/5/20

ELY – A bear that spent part of its day in Whiteside Park caused a bit of a ruckus here last Wednesday evening.That’s when calls came into the Ely Police Department reporting a bear that …

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WILDLIFE

Did I miss Blueberry Fest?

Bear in the park causes a stir in Ely

Posted

ELY – A bear that spent part of its day in Whiteside Park caused a bit of a ruckus here last Wednesday evening.
That’s when calls came into the Ely Police Department reporting a bear that had climbed up one of the trees at the park. The event caused a traffic hazard as drivers stopped in the roadway to watch the bear, according to Ely Police Chief Chad Houde. Others approached the tree to take photographs.
Police eventually taped off the area, and established traffic control with assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and the Ely Public Works Department.
After a brief time without disturbance, the bear climbed down and left the park. Soon after, law enforcement received a call that children followed the bear and caused it to climb another tree. Eventually the bear came down and reportedly left the area.
“A good lesson here is to leave the bear alone and watch from a distance,” Chief Houde said. “This will keep everyone safe.”