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Black Bear Spotted Near Paul Bunyan, Babe Statues

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Bemidji saw black and blue on Friday morning, but the wild incident ended with a peaceful nap.

Police were called to the Paul Bunyan Park near the area of 12th Street Northeast and Lake Blvd. at about 6 a.m. A number of people reported seeing a black bear in the area.

The park is where the famed Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues are located.

According to officers, the bear got spooked by pedestrians and ran northbound along the western edge of Lake Bemidji before laying down near Bemidji State University's campus.

Authorities were able to tranquilize the bear and transport it to a nearby forest.

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