Large bear roams around Fillmore neighborhood

Giant bear spotted in Fillmore neighborhood

A giant "chonky" bear roams around several backyards in the Fillmore neighborhood of Ventura County.

VENTURA COUNTY, Calif. - A large bear roamed through a residential Ventura County neighborhood before being tranquilized Wednesday afternoon.

The bear sightings had many in the community curious.

"I was surprised, a once-in-a-lifetime thing to see in your backyard," said 12-year-old Ocean Holguin.

He said he never expected to spot a bear in Fillmore, and neither did any of the nearby residents.

"We were just shocked, you know, we've never seen anything like this in Fillmore, California," another resident told FOX 11.

The bear sightings near Edison Lane sent swarms of people to gather around the usually quiet neighborhood.

"We see possums, raccoons, not a bear, a 500-pound bear," said Daniel Holguin.

Ocean and his uncle, Daniel, remained very calm despite the bear maneuvering through their property.

"My uncle called and said that there was a bear, and I didn't believe him, so I looked out my window and I saw a big thing under the motorhome with fur and moving, and I was like, 'Oh, it's really a bear,'" said Ocean.

The bear prompted a warning from the City of Fillmore for residents to keep a safe distance.

The city had notified residents to avoid the area after earlier sightings of the bear along 4th Street.

By Wednesday afternoon, units from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife worked with local law enforcement to tranquilize the bear and carry it away.

"A lot of support for the bear, you know, we all love animals, we're just happy they took it away safely," said Daniel Holguin.

According to nearby residents, a bear sighting like this is unusual.