PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. \u2014 Bear sightings are rare along the Treasure Coast, but one was spotted recently in a Port St. Lucie neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Police posted a video on its Facebook page Tuesday of a black bear swimming in a waterway in the Town Park community. <\/p>\n
The video showed the bear exiting the water and then running toward homes.<\/p>\n
“As Florida’s black bears become more active this time of year in search of food, occasional sightings in residential neighborhoods can occur,” police said on Facebook. “While seeing a bear may be surprising, it is not necessarily cause for alarm.”<\/p>\n
WATCH BELOW: Bear spotted in Port St. Lucie<\/p>\n
Police advised if you see a bear:
\u2022 Give it plenty of space
\u2022 Do not approach it
\u2022 Never attempt to feed it
\u2022 Keep children and pets away from the animal
\u2022 Secure garbage, pet food, bird seed, and other potential food sources<\/p>\n
If you unexpectedly encounter a bear:
\u2022 Remain calm
\u2022 Do not run
\u2022 Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight
\u2022 Speak in a calm, firm voice
\u2022 Allow the bear a clear escape route<\/p>\n
Port St. Lucie police said they will continue to monitor the situation and call 911 if you have an emergency.<\/p>\n
Florida black bears typically avoid people and will usually move on if they cannot find an easy food source. However, a fatal bear attack occurred last year<\/a> in rural southwest Florida just south of Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area.<\/p>\n The Associated Press reported that Florida’s black bears, which were once threatened, have increasingly wandered into neighborhoods and private property in recent years, especially in more rural areas of north and central Florida.<\/p>\n Residents are encouraged to help prevent bears from lingering in neighborhoods by removing attractants around their homes, police advised.<\/p>\n “If you are letting your dog outside, consider making noise before opening the door and keep dogs on a short leash when possible. Dogs can sometimes trigger defensive behavior from bears, especially female bears with cubs,” police said.<\/p>\n If you feel threatened by a bear, observe an injured or orphaned bear or witness someone intentionally feeding or harming a bear, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).<\/p>\n According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website<\/a>, bear sightings are rare for most of the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County. <\/p>\n