DEC, Albany Police Tranquilize Bear in Tree, Release It Back Into Wild

Bears Emerge From Semi-Hibernation Across the Hudson Valley

As we begin to settle into spring, so do our local critters and wildlife. Mainly, black bears.

According to the Department of Environmental Conservation bears never fully hibernate in the winter in New York. There have been warnings released across the region as black bears began to emerge from their semi-hibernation.

The warnings basically state that once the bears make their way out, they'll be scavenging for food.

Officials recommend keeping your garbage cans locked or indoors, and to bring your bird feeders in between March and April. They also stress that feeding bears is illegal.

Bears head out of hibernation between March and April, which brings us to an unusual situation that unfolded in the city of Albany earlier this week.

Bear Tranquilized From Tree in Capital Region

The Albany Police Department took to social media on Tuesday April 21st, 2026, to alert the community of a bear in a tree.

They wrote on Facebook "Second Avenue between Hoffman Avenue and Frisbie Avenue is closed to all traffic due to a bear spotted in a tree. Garden Street at Raymo Street is also closed to all traffic."

They attached this photo to the post:

The Albany Police Department along with the DEC remained on the scene all morning, to keep the public at bay and to get the bear out of the tree safely.

The crowd continued to grow making it a difficult task to get the bear out safely. So, trained wildlife staff "chemically immobilized the bear."

Tranquilized Bear Released Back into The Wild in Upstate, New York

After the bear was safely extracted from the tree, wildlife experts took over.

The bear was "safely relocated" away from the city. Watch the video below as the bear is reunited with nature:

The DEC reminds New Yorkers that this time of year "young bears, particularly 1-year-old males, disperse from the area of their birth." They add:

They may move several dozen miles in this process, and occasionally they wind up in unusual spots, like an urban neighborhood.

Hence why the bear was found in a tree in the middle of Albany. If you see a bear in your neighborhood or in an unusual spot, call 911.

If a bear isn't leaving the area and damaging property call regional wildlife office or DEC Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 1-844-332-3267.

Here are some more Bearwise tips from the DEC to keep you safe: