Officials with the Virginia Game Warden’s office on Friday tranquilized a black bear that had been spotted relaxing in a tree and transported it to a safer location.

A citizen called police about 3:30 p.m. to report the bear in the 4300 block of Whaleyville Boulevard, city spokeswoman Diana Klink wrote in a press release. It was taking a break on the limb about 20 feet up a tree in someone’s yard, she said.

After getting shot with the tranquilizer gun, the bear fell from the tree and was caught in a tarp. It was then taken to a safer location and released, Klink said.

Bears in Suffolk are common because of its mostly rural area and proximity to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. However, residents who wish to avoid negative interactions with bears can do so by storing garbage indoors and putting it out the morning of pickup rather than the night before, removing the bird feeder, keeping strong-smelling food out of vehicles and compost piles, cleaning the outdoor grill, and feeding pets indoors or removing their food after they eat.

If a bear is on or near your property, the best thing to do is leave it alone, according to the press release. If there is still a problem, contact the police department’s non-emergency dispatch line at 923-2350, extension 0.