As conditions force more bears down into the metro region, wildlife officials were reminding residents that curious humans make it more difficult for officers to capture and relocate the animals.

SLIDESHOW: Clever Bear Eludes Officials
VIDEO: Officials Chase Bear All Afternoon

The large number of people who were trying to catch a glimpse of a black bear as it roamed through a Centennial neighborhood Wednesday were a serious hindrance to efforts to catch the animal, Division of Wildlife officials said. The more people chased the bear, the more the bear tried to avoid the people. "If dogs or people get too close to the bear, the bear panics and it makes it impossible for wildlife officers or sheriff's officers to do their job," Todd Malmsbury of the division said. "Yesterday, there were so many people, so many neighbors that came out to look at it, (and) dogs chasing the bear. The bear's frightened, so the bear's trying to get away. It's scared," he said. Officers held off on tranquilizing the bear during the chase, 7NEWS reported. "Any time you put a tranquilizer dart into a bear, there's a chance it could kill the bear," Malmsbury said. But when the frightened animal did not find the way out on its own, wildlife officers fired several darts and sedated the bear. A wild animal is an amazing thing to see, but it's best for the bear and for people to keep their distance, officials said. "We're asking the public to back away, don't make a carnival out of it," Malmsbury said. "When there's a bear, we need people to leave it alone," he said. The bear that was roaming around Centennial was released in good bear habitat west of the metro area and was in good condition when it was let go, officials said. Previous Stories:

• August 16, 2001: New Bear Sighting Excites Jeffco Neighborhood
• August 16, 2001: Bear Captured In Arapahoe County After Wild Chase
• August 15, 2001: Bear Pays Visit To Celebrity Home In Aspen
• August 15, 2001: 'Pepsi Bear' Captured In Pueblo
• August 7, 2001: Another Bear Killed At Poncha Springs
• August 3, 2001: Bear Attacks Another Scout
• August 2, 2001: Bear Suspected Of Biting Scout Leader Killed
• August 1, 2001: Bear Spotted In Lakewood Neighborhood
• July 26, 2001: Woman Maintains Humor After Bear Attack
• July 25, 2001: Bear Attacks Boy Scout Leader In Tent
• July 25, 2001: Tips For Surviving In Bear Country
• July 20, 2001: Bear Shot, Poacher Sought
• July 9, 2001: Teen Injured In Rare Bear Attack
• June 20, 2001: Bear Checks Out Downtown Breckenridge
• May 21, 2001: The Bears Are Back In Town
• April 30, 2001: Bears Coming Out Of Hibernation
• April 2, 2001: Watch Out For Bears, Wildlife Officials Warn