Now that is a bear-y unusual sight for D.C.!
A juvenile black bear caused a minor but cute commotion on Friday morning, June 9, in Northeast’s Brookland neighborhood.
Washingtonians starting their day spotted the bear wandering through small local yards and clamoring up trees during the morning commute.
“Yoooo I just saw a Black Bear in DC….” one woman wrote on Twitter, alongside video, during its earliest sighting just after 6 a.m.
Some residents soon named the bear “Franklin” after he was spotted on Franklin Street NE.
During his District visit, Franklin was seen crossing in a crosswalk, running through some manicured front lawns, and climbing a tree above a liquor store (hey, it was a Friday!).
Washingtonians quickly took to social media to chronicle his journey and, of course, crack some jokes.
“one thing about dc is we LOVE wild animals on the loose let’s go BEAR,” another woman tweeted. “I hope he’s ok though!”
“DC went from Smokey Air to Smokey The Bear real quick,” another tweet read.
No people or animals were injured during Franklin’s mini vacation, and multiple D.C. agencies—including D.C. Police, Fire, EMS, Humane Rescue Alliance, and Smithsonian National Zoo personnel—worked together to get him home safely.
“Just the bear facts,” D.C. Fire and EMS said.
After making his way down from a tree, Franklin was sedated and safely transported to a remote woodland area where he was released following his short nap!