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Bear that swam to Orcas Island captured in Mount Vernon

Wildlife officials have captured a bear that swam to the San Juan Islands looking for a mate. They plan to release him in the wild.

Editor's note: The video above originally aired in May when the bear swam to Orcas Island.

A black bear that is believed to have island-hopped in the San Juans has been captured.

Mount Vernon police found the bear Saturday morning in the 400 block of North 17th Street in Mount Vernon, according to the police department.

The bear went up a tree when police arrived, and officials with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife tranquilized it. WDFW caught the bear in a tarp when he slipped from the tree. 

The black bear will be released in the wild later Saturday, according to Mount Vernon police.

WDFW identified the bear based on its markings.

The bear was first spotted in early April walking and swimming between islands in Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties. Male bears are on the move now looking for a mate, and he swam as far away as Orcas Island while on the hunt, according to WDFW.

RELATED: Bear swims to San Juan Islands looking for a mate

The bear was last seen Friday in Arlington, according to Mount Vernon police.

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