Shot With Tranquilizer Dart, Black Bear Runs Into Gulf

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS | Tbo.com
Published: June 29, 2008

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APALACHICOLA - A Florida Fish and Wildlife biologist pulled off a daring rescue Saturday in the Panhandle: He rescued a bear.

Officials say a 375-pound male black bear was seen roaming a residential neighborhood near Alligator Point. The bear was hit with a tranquilizer dart, but he managed to bolt into the Gulf of Mexico before he was sedated.

As the tranquilizer drugs took effect, FWC biologist Adam Warwick jumped in to keep the bear from drowning.

He managed to get the bear to shore, and then a backhoe operator helped load the animal to a truck. The bear was relocated to Osceola National Forest near Lake City.