SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – A wild black bear has been spotted moving through Shelby County neighborhoods this week, drawing attention on social media and prompting safety guidance from wildlife experts.
Amanda Haney, a lead animal care professional at the Birmingham Zoo, said the sighting is not entirely unusual.
“There have been cases over the years where there are some black bears that cross through Birmingham,” Haney said. “It’s suspected that they’re traveling maybe from one population to the next.”
Haney said Alabama has two black bear populations, one near Fort Payne and one near Mobile, and the Shelby County bear may be traveling between them. She added that it is currently breeding season, a time when male black bears can significantly expand their range.
“This might be a younger male who’s kind of figuring stuff out a little bit,” Haney said. “He’s still figuring out what the do’s and the don’ts are being a functional bear by himself.”
Experts said the most important step residents can take is to maintain distance.
“If you don’t go up and approach them, they’re going to leave you alone,” Haney said. “Keeping 20 yards away is probably a good bet. The further distance you give them, the safer you are.”
Haney said that rule protects both people and the bear. The Birmingham Zoo’s two black bears, Betty and Sassy, were rescued from Montana after people fed them and they lost their ability to survive in the wild.
“They got to the point where they were too comfortable with people and they became a danger to themselves and to others,” Haney said.
Haney said she does not expect the bear to remain in the area long.
“If he is looking for a female for breeding season, he’s not going to find one around here,” she said. “He probably won’t make a home base here.”
A wild black bear has been spotted moving through Shelby County neighborhoods this week, drawing attention on social media and prompting safety guidance from wildlife experts.(Tom Haney)
In the meantime, experts recommend that residents secure trash, bring in bird feeders, and monitor gardens.
“Even though wildlife can be really, really cute, we want to make sure that we give it space and let it truly be wild,” Haney said.
Experts also recommend calling Alabama Wildlife Resources or local law enforcement if the bear appears injured, disoriented, or is approaching people directly.
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