Wildlife officials search for bear shot with arrow near Arcadia

State wildlife officials asked for the public’s help Monday finding an injured bear who was shot with an arrow near Arcadia.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife wants to locate the animal, evaluate the bear’s condition and determine a plan of action.

The bear might have been shot at a local bow hunting area that’s permitted in California through the Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement program.

A neighbor, Ernie Camacho, told CBS2 that the bear was a regular in the neighborhood, and added that seeing the wounded animal was a tough experience.

“When we saw the bear initially laying on the front lawn, it was probably 25-30 feet from us and he was helpless. He laid on his side, he perched his head up to look at us and, almost as though asking for help, he lifted his paw up, which was the most heart-wrenching thing,” Camacho told the station. “The arrow was probably, well I couldn’t tell how large the arrow was but it (had) penetrated.”

Camacho said that after a while, the bear got up and gingerly lumbered a few blocks away to another yard, but it was clear the animal was seriously injured and in pain.

“The bear was obviously in pain and in fact when we lost him in the brush, we could hear him moan, which was very sad,” Camacho told CBS2.

Anyone who sees the bear was asked to call the Arcadia Police Department at 626-574-5150.

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