ATLANTA – Spring could be a good time for sighting bears – even if it’s not on the agenda.
Young male bears typically explore areas outside their regular domain in the spring, making sightings throughout Metro Atlanta possible, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. But, if left alone, the bears typically return to their home turf.
“If a black bear is sighted passing through an area, the best thing to do is to leave it alone,” Wildlife Biologist Adam Hammond said in a news release. “Residents should never approach a bear and never, under any circumstances, feed a bear. Even worse, attempting to ‘tree’ or corner a bear in a certain area often compromises both the safety and welfare of the public and the bear.”
Black bears are the only bears in Georgia, according to the state’s DNR. To avoid a visit from a bear, officials say store garbage in the garage if necessary and keep grills and bird feeders in areas bears can’t access, and certainly don’t consider feeding a bear, as it is illegal.