Residents of a Florida apartment complex reported an unwelcome new neighbor lingering in stairwells — a black bear.
People living at Westbrook Apartments in Orlando reported seeing a black bear wandering the premises this week, and the bruin was caught on camera loitering in a stairwell area.
“When I saw it, the bear was coming out, and the bear was walking normally. Just walking,” resident Irma Rodriguez told WOFL-TV. “I was surprised, but because I like bears I said, ‘Oh, how beautiful.’ And then I ran upstairs with my dog.”
Bear sightings have also been reported at the nearby Marbella Woods condos.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is monitoring the situation. Officials said it is not unusual for young bears to wander in search of new territory after leaving their mothers.
“Staff with our Bear Management Program are aware of reports of a bear at this apartment complex and have set traps to try and relocate the bear,” the FWC said in a statement provided to WFTV. “Staff are also canvassing the area to provide guidance to residents on best practices to help prevent conflicts with bears and to identify potential attractants that should be secured to prevent bears and other wildlife from lingering in the area.”
