A week after an aggressive bear forced the closure of a popular recreation area in southeastern Arizona, the area has reopened after the bear was put down by authorities.
Initially, Fort Huachuca officials planned to close Huachuca Canyon to vehicles, hikers and other visitors with the hope the bear would move on, as other problem bears have. But last week the brown bear followed and charged hikers. The bear later approached some cyclists in the canyon.
Officials hoped the bear would move on, but he continued to be aggressive and showed no fear of humans. Fort spokeswoman Tanja Linton said state game and fish officials helped put the animal down about a week after the canyon was closed.
Linton told the Sierra Vista Herald recreational users should continue to remain alert to the possibility of bear activity in the canyon.
The last time the canyon had to be closed for a problem like this was in 2013.
Associated Press contributed to this report.