TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Winter is coming! Just ask the neighborhood bear who made an appearance a few days ago.
As Tallahassee continues to expand to accommodate a growing population, more residents are living closer to the largest national forest in the state, the Apalachicola National Forest.
Fall is here and with the cooler weather comes a healthier appetite for the Florida black bear. It is not uncommon for bears to explore this time of year, looking to fatten up for the winter.
Typically neighborhoods on the west side of Capital Circle see bears, but this one wandered to the east side of town in search of natural foods.
"If you do have a bear that's in your backyard, if you're on your porch or near your car, go ahead and yell at it," said David Talesco, who is the bear management program coordinator within the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. "Scare it off, make it feel uncomfortable, but that's the most important thing is to give it some space and make sure it knows where you are and where your pets are."
Bears prefer natural food, but they are attracted to garbage cans, so be sure to secure your lids. They are not typically aggressive and can be frightened off by noise.
