More black bears are being spotted in the Metro Atlanta area as DNR says they make their way down from North Georgia.
MARIETTA, Ga. — A mama bear and her two cubs were spotted roaming around an apartment complex in Cobb County on Wednesday afternoon, surprising nearby residents and raising questions about bear activity in metro Atlanta.
“That’s crazy. Look at those bears. There’s like three of them,” resident Jamar Teasley Sr. said after seeing the animals.
Teasley and his son, Jamar Jr., said they were shocked to learn that bears could be roaming around in the woods so close to them.
“Being the fact that there are soccer fields around and we love to play soccer and actually train right down the street, I’m a little nervous about that,” Teasley said. “The big question is, is the bear going to be anywhere out while we’re playing soccer?”
While seeing bears in Marietta may seem unusual, wildlife experts say it’s actually fairly common.
“During this time of year, it’s normal to see black bears come down from North Georgia towards the metro area,” said Blake Graber, a biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
Graber said residents should avoid feeding bears if they encounter them.
“That’s kind of where the problems come in with these human-bear conflicts, where the bear feels a little too comfortable with humans and being around humans,” Graber said. “It creates possibly a scenario where humans are coming too close to the bears, and it creates a dangerous situation.”
If you find yourself too close to a black bear, Graber recommends making yourself appear as large as possible.
“We recommend making yourself big, and if you’re with a group of people, stay close together so you can make yourselves as big as you possibly can,” Graber said. “Then put your hands up in the air and make as much noise as you possibly can.”
11Alive’s Chase Houle also asked whether bears that wander into metro Atlanta are relocated. Graber said wildlife officials generally try not to intervene because relocation can be dangerous for the animals.
According to Graber, relocated bears often attempt to return to their original territory, which can put them at risk of being struck by vehicles or entering another bear’s territory.
As black bears continue moving through parts of metro Atlanta, wildlife officials encourage residents to give the animals space, secure food sources and trash, and report concerning encounters to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.