A bear roaming a built-up developed area was recently put to sleep and relocated by police officers, as wildlife officials remind residents that black bears are “definitely out and active.”

Massachusetts State Police troopers over the weekend got a call about a bear in Worcester, standing in the middle of McKeon Road over Route 146. A Walmart, Dunkin’ and other businesses are located nearby.

After Worcester police officers and animal control were able to contain the bear within a perimeter, troopers and Massachusetts Environmental Police tranquilized the animal. The sedated bear was then moved to a forested area, away from major roadways and population centers.

It was the first time that a bear needed to be tranquilized and moved in the Bay State this year. Only a few bears a year need to be tranquilized, according to Dave Wattles, a black bear and furbearer biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

“When a bear is in a built-up area like this, you want to alleviate the immediate issue and get it out of the area to avoid any vehicle collisions,” Wattles said.

Bears have reportedly been on the move in recent weeks, looking for food and breaking into chicken coops.

“Bears are definitely out and active,” said Wattles, of MassWildlife.

Bears typically exit their dens between March and April, as they start to search for food during a lean time of the year.

“There’s not a lot of natural food out there,” Wattles said, noting that berries are not found until the summer. “So they’re attracted to yards by human-associated foods.”

Bird feeders are the number one food attractant to peoples’ yards, he added. Bears also love to pick through unsecured trash and attack chicken coops.

“Bird feeders are training bears to come around homes,” Wattles said. “Bird feeders teach bears to come into this developed area, get into the garbage, break into the shed for bird seed, break into the chicken coop.”

It’s critical that people remove bird feeders, use electric fencing for chicken coops, and secure their garbage, he emphasized. Residents should put trash barrels out the morning of trash pickup, not the previous evening.

If a bear is feeding in an area where it doesn’t belong — such as your yard, on a porch, or in a dumpster — step outside, yell, and make lots of noise. The bear will usually leave, accompanied by its young.

If you see a bear in the woods, it may not immediately recognize you as a human and may be curious until it scents you. Make the animal aware of your presence by clapping, talking, or making other sounds while slowly backing away. Do not approach bears or intrude between a female bear and her cubs. Keep dogs leashed and stay a respectful distance away.

Police officers tranquilized the bear and moved the animal to a forested area. (Massachusetts State Police photo)