ORLANDO, Fla. — Several residents have reported seeing a bear near Lake Underhill in Orlando, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Monday.
FWC said someone reported seeing a bear Sunday in a church parking lot on Clemwood Drive near East South Street and South Crystal Lake Drive.
Wildlife officials said another person reported seeing a bear Sunday on Strathmore Drive, south of Lake Underhill.
A third sighting was reported Monday on Lake Underhill Road, FWC said. That person said he saw the bear heading toward Crystal Lake Drive.
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Channel 9 reporter Lauren Seabrook spotted the bear perched in a tree Monday afternoon on Lido Street near Lake Underhill Road and South Semoran Boulevard.
FWC said the bear will likely return to a wooded area in search of shade and water.
"I hear of them being in Longwood or Apopka and all that, but I never hear about it being in Orlando -- like, right in the middle of the city," resident Jennifer Pewitt said.
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Wildlife officials ask area residents to keep a safe distance from the bear and to not leave garbage out overnight
FWC said residents may use electric fencing to keep the bear away from gardens, bee yards, compost piles and livestock.
Officials said pets should be fed indoors, grills should be cleaned, bird feeders should be removed and ripe fruit should be harvested.
Click here to read more information about bears. Click here to report a sighting.