Star-Tribune staff

A juvenile black bear sighted in North Casper has led to a temporary lockdown of North Casper Elementary School.

The Natrona County School District received a call from the Casper Police Department stating that North Casper needed to lock down due to a bear sighting in the area. All students were required to stay inside the building. The lockdown was lifted at 2:55 p.m., the district said in a release, after it was learned that the bear was headed downstream.

"We're not going to take any chances," said Safe Schools Administrator Wayne Beatty. "At worst, North Casper just got another opportunity to practice their lockdown drill."

Members of the Department of Game and Fish were out on the banks of the North Platte River Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. after spotting a bear in the area. The bear was later seen floating down the river at the location of the pedestrian bridge and the baseball fields.

Members of the Mills Police Department, Casper Police Department and Wyoming Game and Fish were out looking for the bear.

Scott Edberg, Casper region wildlife supervisor with Game and Fish, said it's just the fourth time in his 17 years at the office that he's seen a bear in a populated Wyoming area.

"(The vegetation) is just so thick that the bear can feel secure and hide in there," he said.

Edberg said they planned to dart the bear when they had a clear shot at it, but wanted to ensure that the bear, once darted, wouldn't fall into the river.

The bear hasn't shown signs of aggression, he said.

Once the bear is darted with a tranquilizer, it will probably be taken to the Laramie Range.

For more on this story, read the Casper Star-Tribune in print and online in Tuesday's editions.