This weekend, a bear—possibly more than one—was seen wandering throughout Central Orlando, appearing in College Park, close to Inter&Co Stadium in Parramore, and other locations.
Social media users shared pictures of a bear sprinting along Elizabeth Street close to Princeton Elementary School.
According to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission representative, the organization had answered calls regarding the bear sightings but had not given many specifics. Its employees have occasionally captured and moved bears from cities in the past.
Spokesman Lisa Thompson stated in an email on Monday that it is generally preferable to provide bears the freedom to roam freely. When bears are seen in trees, they may be looking for a safe location away from humans and activity, and they will probably descend by themselves.
She warned not to go near bears and never, ever feed them.
A bear’s innate fear of humans can be overcome by feeding it. “If a bear can’t find food, it will move on,” she explained.
According to Thompson, who is assigned to the wildlife agency’s Habitat and Species Conservation section, Florida black bears become more active in the spring and summer and can occasionally be spotted in unexpected locations, even if sightings in urban areas like Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa are relatively rare.
According to her, bears are more active during this season in pursuit of food.
A young stray bear was taken to the Ocala National Forest two summers ago after being caught in a wildlife agency trap close to the World of Beer eatery at Lake Eola Park. A bear that was spotted on a tree in College Park a few months prior was let fall naturally but was struck and killed by a car.
Captured and released bear in Ocala National Forest at Lake Eola Park
According to Thompson, whereas elder bears, or juvenile bears between the ages of 18 and 30 months, will depart from their mother’s home range and travel in search of a new spot to settle down, mother bears may broaden their territory while teaching cubs where to search for food.
During the summer breeding season, male bears are also more likely to be active as they look for partners.
There is no doubt that the Orlando bear or bears migrated around.
Calls regarding bears running on Elizabeth Avenue, in trees on Harrison Avenue, just east of Elizabeth Avenue, in trees on West Colonial Drive, and passing the soccer stadium have been received by the state wildlife department in the last week. Whether it was a single bear or several bears has not been established by officials.
Although it may indicate that something is attracting them, seeing a bear in a community is not always reason for concern.
According to Thompson, bears usually attempt to stay away from people, but if they can readily find food, they might stay in a community.
She stated that by protecting trash, pet food, bird seed, and other simple meals, worried locals might discourage bear intrusions.
Bears are crossing more roads as they get more active.
Approximately 300 bears are killed in car crashes in Florida each year.
If you find an injured, orphaned, or dead bear, feel intimidated by one, or witness someone purposefully hurting or feeding bears, call the state Wildlife Hotline at 888-404-3922.
