Golden Gates Estates grizzly bear cub found, safely returned to 'A Grizzly Experience'

Associated Press
GOLDEN GATE ESTATES, Fla. (AP) -- Officials say a grizzly bear cub that escaped from his southwest Florida home earlier this week has been safely captured.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that the 125-pound cub was found Friday afternoon a few miles from his home. The bear is one of three owned by a couple that takes them to fairs and exhibits around the country.

The bear escaped early Tuesday afternoon from A Grizzly Experience, a licensed facility in Golden Gate Estates. Neighbors spotted the animal Thursday evening, and FWC focused its search in that area Friday.

The bear was returned to its facility, but officials still want to determine how it escaped to prevent it from happening again.

It wasn't immediately clear if criminal charges would be filed.