Russian bear anaesthetized after roaming into China

Local residents put a black bear from Russia in a cage, preparing to release it into the wild in Raohe county, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Aug 29, 2015. [Photo/IC]

HARBIN -- A black bear from Russia has been captured and released into the wild after crossing into China and causing a stir in a border town.

The small bear was spotted swimming across the border river of Wusuli into Raohe county in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province on Saturday morning, according to local frontier guards.

Fishermen tried to scare away the bear with their vessels but failed. It landed on a riverside park, causing a panic among visitors and prompting police to evacuate nearby residents.

Probably equally frightened, the 50-kg animal fled into a house.

Forestry officials subdued the bear with an anaesthetic rifle and released it into a forest away from the populated area.

The county government said four bears have been spotted crossing the border into Raohe since August 20. Local authorities are tracing the other three, which were seen wandering in corn fields, to ensure locals' safety.

China has seen increasing reports of tigers and bears crossing into its territory from Russia thanks to an improved environment along the border. In 2014, two Siberian tigers released into the wild by Russian President Vladimir Putin wandered into China.