Florida Fish and Wildlife is investigating black bear activity in one suburban neighborhood on the outskirts of Winter Garden.
- Bear spotted in Winter Garden neighborhood
- FWC says bear likely in the area for garbage
- FWC considering setting a trap
"They're coming in our yards. The bear has been knocking over our garbage and we've been calling everyone we need to call and they do not do nothing," Rosa Stewart said.
Stewart says she's frustrated because she's seen the bear on the street outside her home every day for about five days. Now she says she's afraid to go outside, and her neighbors feel the same.
"We look out the door to see if anything is there before we even step out," said Stewart's neighbor Tiffany Kelly.
Kelly says her son typically walks to school, but she's not sure she will let him this year. She says she's afraid of what might happen if her son bumps into the bear on the street in the early morning hours on his way to school.
"The kids may think that it's like a bear that's in a cartoon, and they may want to approach it," Kelly said. "Children are impulsive by nature and very inquisitive and that is very scary to me."
Currently Florida Fish and Wildlife officials are tracking the bear. They believe he is the same bear that was spotted near Lake Apopka recently.
A spokesperson with FWC explained black bears typically begin moving more during this time of the year in search of food as they prepare to hibernate for the winter. They suspect the bear was attracted to the area because of all the trash cans left on the street or near homes throughout the week.
Right now it's unclear if the bear has moved on but FWC did say they are considering setting a trap for it. They will then decide if the animal is a danger to people, and figure out if it needs to be euthanized or relocated.
For now they are asking people to keep their garbage inside their homes before trash day.