Video: Popular park closes after bear sightings

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SUMNER, Wash. – Riverside Park in Pierce County is closed while wildlife officials try to track down one of three bears that showed up Thursday night.

Agents were able to catch two cubs, but now the mother bear is on the loose and neighbors are on edge.

Riverside is popular for its Frisbee golf course and BMX courses. It was packed with people when the three bears showed up.

When wildlife Agent Justin Maschhoff  responded to the sighting, he found the bears up a tree.

"There was probably in the neighborhood of 20 to 50 people playing Frisbee golf in the park, so they were in relatively close proximity," he said.

That prompted the County parks department to empty and close the park. It didn't take agents long to capture the two cubs, but the mother is still out there.

Wildlife officials are using donuts and molasses in hopes of capturing her.

"I don't know I think they're just big pigs with fur that will eat about anything," Maschoff said.

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

The two bear cubs were captured and released in the Mount Rainier foothills.

Bears rarely attack livestock or people, but wildlife agents are concerned whenever a mother shows up with cubs.

These cubs however are more like teenagers and are ready to be on their own. They've already been relocated to the Mount Rainier foothills.

Wildlife agents advise people to stay far away from any bears they see, especially mothers with cubs.