After a black bear invaded the back yard of a 91原创 home last week, two provincial conservation officers set up a humane trap in a bid to capture and possibly relocate the wayward bruin.

The officers swept the area near 206 Street and 98 Avenue Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 31) after Walnut Grove resident Rob Snazel was surprised by what he described as a full-grown bear exploring the fenced-off yard where his three-year-old son was playing just minutes earlier.

The bear was less than two metres away from the open entrance to the ground floor suite where his son and one-year-old daughter were, Snazel said. All the windows were open at the time.

Snazel and an adult visitor hastily relocated the children upstairs and called 911.

One of the conservation officers, James Kelly, told The Times he and his colleague hoped to force the bear up a tree where it could be safely hit with a tranquilizer dart, but were unable to accomplish that.

The trap the officers left was designed to catch the bear unharmed.

Kelly said once the bear has been captured it will be assessed for relocation.

鈥淭hat will depend on its history,鈥� Kelly said.

Snazel said there have been several close encounters with the bear in the residential neighbourhood in recent weeks and the animal appeared to be getting less timid about foraging through back yards in broad daylight.

At the very least, Snazel said, there should have been a bear warning notice posted around a children鈥檚 playground next to the green belt where the bear appears to be living.

Snazel said he hopes the bear can be relocated before authorities have to shoot it.

On Aug. 16, an 91原创 RCMP officer was forced to shoot and kill a bear cub in another north 91原创 neighbourhood when it became aggressive.