New Mexico authorities captured a bear spotted in the Cabezon neighborhood Tuesday morning. The latest incident adds to a long list of bear sightings across the state this year.
Rio Rancho police worked with the New Mexico Department of Wildlife (NMDOW) to safely capture the bear, city leaders said.
First responders said crews tranquilized the bear that will be relocated to northern New Mexico.
Rio Rancho has reported several bear sightings in recent months. A bear was spotted in the Enchanted Hills neighborhood in late July. Authorities captured another last month in the area of Jane Circle Southeast.
Officials confirmed that this bear is different from the one recently seen in Rio Rancho.
More Bear Sightings Recorded in 2026
New Mexico has seen an unusually high number of bear encounters in cities and suburban neighborhoods in 2026. Tuesday’s incident in Rio Rancho comes after a bear was spotted at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. Zozobra celebrations are set to take place at the park later this week.
On August 20, authorities confirmed that a bear killed a man in Crystal, New Mexico. This marks the state’s first fatal bear attack in 25 years. The Navajo Police Department’s Window Rock District said the victim succumbed to his injuries.Â
As of August this year, NMDOW received around 230 bear reports, showing an increase from 159 last year.
The state’s wildlife department says dry conditions have driven bears into neighborhoods in search of food.
If you see a bear, contact NMDOW at (888) 248-6866. Call 911 if the animal poses an immediate threat to public safety.
Brant.One will continue updating this article as more information becomes available, helping readers stay informed about the latest developments.
