Another Bear Enters into a Neighborhood, is this the 'Year of the Bear'?

For the second time today, a North American Black Bear entered an area residential neighborhood. This time one was found in a La Verne, probably in search of water and food, before officials tranquilized and transported it to an undisclosed location in the San Gabriel Mountains. Earlier today, a 300-pound bear was found and captured in a Camarillo apartment complex.

With this year's drought and little rainfall, Harry Morse of the California Department of Fish and Game has a feeling that this could be "the year of the bear." If the mountains are low on water, bears need to figure out where to go, he told LAist. That said, residential areas with water sprinklers may be attractive for the animals.

Bears in Southern California do not have to hibernate--the surrounding mountains have a year round food supply--and they tend to slow down their movement during hot summers to conserve energy. However, with the water shortage this year, that could be different. If you live near or on a mountain, hike or camp, make sure you're up to date on how to best live and act around bears.