A portion of east Busch Boulevard was briefly shut down early Tuesday while Tampa police and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials dealt with a loose bear.



According to wildlife officials, the frisky bear may have been traveling throughout the region in search for a mate.



The bear was caught outside Busch Gardens after taking police and wildlife officials on a four-hour chase.

The 275-pound bear has actually been seen a lot around Florida.

Back on June 20, he was caught on Sanibel Island and taken to the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Refuge, where he was released. He headed south instead of north and was spotted in Spring Hill.

"The folks on Sanibel Island affectionally named him Sana-Bear," said the FWC's Gary Morse.

Almost two weeks later, Sana-Bear's journey brought him back to Tampa.

"He was probably headed back home," Morse said. "Also, trying to find a spot of his own."

Morse said young bears such as Sana-Bear reach a certain age and are sent off on their own. The bear is considered harmless and is just trying to survive.

"Mamma bear is going to raise a new family, and she kicks the cubs out and they have to find their own spot in life," Morse said.

Officials said the bear initially was spotted near the University of South Florida early Tuesday but slipped past police there and ran towards Temple Terrace before showing up in front of the main gate outside Busch Gardens.



The animal managed to climb a tree before officials were able to tranquilize it, ending the four-hour pursuit. The bear was transported to an area in north Florida.



Shortly after the bear was taken into custody, emergency crews reopened the roadway.



FWC officials said the Florida black bear was removed last week from the state's endangered species list.