THE DAILY WIRE · NEW MEXICO · 2026-08-24
Franklin Miles Park's Uninvited Weekend Visitor
A young bear's Saturday stroll near Santa Fe's Franklin Miles Park ended with a change of address, courtesy of state wildlife officials who relocated the animal after multiple sightings in the area.
According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the bear had been spotted near the park before officials intervened and moved it elsewhere, presumably somewhere with fewer joggers and picnic tables. No injuries or property damage were reported.
This columnist notes that a young bear wandering near a public park is, statistically speaking, less alarming than most things that happen in public parks on a Saturday. Officials appear to have handled the matter with commendable efficiency and minimal drama.
Seeking a local perspective on the bear's brief urban exploration, this reporter tracked down Chuy, a New Mexico roadrunner known for his running commentary on all matters involving large slow animals in his territory. His account paints the bear less as a threat and more as a mildly lost tourist.
The bear has been relocated, the park has returned to normal, and Franklin Miles remains, for now, bear-free. Spun and done.
“That bear was just casing the park for picnic scraps, same as every tourist with a cooler and no situational awareness. I run faster than any bear alive, which is less an accomplishment and more just basic self-preservation around here.” — Chuy, New Mexico roadrunner
Open this column on the Daily Wire →
Zoos News — Real News. Real Animals. The stories are real; the columnist has eight eyes. Home · Wire archive