City Councilor Dan Lewis Calls on Albuquerque Bear to “Turn Himself In”

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — After multiple sightings of a wandering black bear on Albuquerque’s West Side, Albuquerque City Councilor Dan Lewis today issued an urgent public appeal for the bear to peacefully surrender to authorities.
 
“The bear has now officially become one of the most recognized residents on the West Side,” Councilor Lewis said. “While we appreciate his interest in checking out our neighborhoods, parks, and possibly local trash service, we are encouraging him to cooperate fully with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and return safely to the wilderness before somebody tries to put him on the ballot.”
 
Officials with Game and Fish and Albuquerque Police Department have been working together to safely locate and relocate the bear back into the wild. Authorities continue to remind residents not to approach, feed, selfie with, campaign for, or attempt to adopt the bear.
 
West Side residents have reacted with a mix of concern, fascination, and social media celebrity treatment. Neighborhood sightings have reportedly sparked everything from bear memes to unofficial naming contests.
 
Councilor Lewis encouraged residents who care about wildlife safety to support organizations that help protect and rehabilitate New Mexico wildlife, including New Mexico Wildlife Center, a nonprofit dedicated to wildlife rehabilitation, conservation, and public education.
 
“We want this bear safe. We want residents safe. And most importantly, we want the bear to stop roaming neighborhoods like he’s looking for an Airbnb,” Lewis added.
 
Officials remind residents to secure trash cans, avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and report aggressive bear behavior to Game and Fish.