Black bear spotted near Golden Gate Elementary

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GOLDEN GATE, Fla. A 200-pound black bear was on the loose Wednesday morning, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office said.

The bear disappeared into a neighborhood near Golden Gate Elementary School, deputies said.

It was first seen at around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at Golden Gate Middle School on 2701 48th Terrace SW., according to deputies. The bear ran across Golden Gate Parkway and into the Winn-Dixie off Coronado Parkway.

The bear continued on to the Golden Gate Public Library and climbed about 50 feet up a tree, deputies said.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission crews shot paintballs at the bear early Wednesday morning to coax the bear down from the tree, deputies said. The bear came down but ran off into the neighborhood near the school.

WINK News reporter Kristin Sanchez went live via Facebook detailing the accounts of the search.

No further information was immediately available.

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