Officials respond to large bear in La Crescenta backyard

LA CRESCENTA, Calif. (KABC) -- A large bear was spotted in a La Crescenta neighborhood, sparking a response by wildlife officials on Friday.

The bear was seen in a tree in the 5000 block of Humphrey Way at about 1:40 p.m., according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and officials with the department of fish and wildlife were waiting for the bear to come down from the tree.

"We're just going to kind of wait it out, let it come down. Once it gets dark it should feel comfortable enough to do that. Make as little commotion as possible. We don't want to beanbag it and send it flying through somebody's yard unnecessarily," Adam Smith with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife explained.

Officials said the bear appeared to weigh approximately 300 pounds and wasn't perceived as a threat to neighbors.

The department of fish and wildlife said it wanted to avoid using a tranquilizer on the bear, hoping it would make its way back up into the forest on its own.