Bear first sighted in Dorval on Sunday afternoon captured several hours later

Residents were told to stay in their homes while the bear roamed in backyards. It will be set free.

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A brown bear first spotted on the West Island early on Sunday afternoon was tranquilized and captured by wildlife authorities several hours later and will ultimately be released, Montreal police said on Sunday evening.

The bear was sighted at about 1 p.m. in western Dorval near Lakeshore Rd. not far from de l’Église Ave., roaming in yards behind homes; at one point the bear climbed up into the crook of a large tree.

Gazette photographer Dave Sidaway, who photographed the bear in the tree between 4 and 5 p.m., reported seeing a tranquilizer dart about six inches long protruding on the right side of the animal’s chest.

The bear climbed down from the tree and was shot with at least one more tranquilizer dart before eventually falling asleep and being contained and caged by authorities from the provincial Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs.

The bear, a young adult, will be transported somewhere and set free, said Montreal police spokesperson Raphaël Bergeron.

When the bear was first sighted, Montreal police were called in to assist by informing residents to stay inside their homes or vehicles, he said.

Montreal firefighters were involved as well as Sauvetage Animal Rescue were on hand in addition to police. “Teamwork made this event possible and saved the life of the bear,” Bergeron said.

A reporter from the West Island News had a live Facebook feed going until it was stopped shortly before 4:30 p.m. when Montreal police told onlookers to leave the scene.