ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida wildlife officials say they’ve set a trap in an effort to capture a small black bear that was spotted at Lake Eola Park Sunday.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
According to a statement from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the bear wasn’t caught by the trap and appeared to have left the area around 1 a.m. Monday.
It has since been seen again higher up in another tree on the opposite side of the lake, according to the statement.
WATCH: SpaceX successfully launches Falcon 9 rocket from Space Coast
FWC officials say the bear actually climbed down from the tree at some point Sunday night to inspect the trap that was set for it, but was “spooked” away by a bicyclist that breached the perimeter of the caution tape that was set up to keep people out of the area.
Officials say the best chance of getting the bear to leave the area will be for onlookers to “keep their distance.”
READ: SUV stolen in Holly Hill with sleeping toddler inside recovered in Daytona Beach, police say
According to FWC, it’s somewhat common to see bears during this time of year because they’re more active as juvenile bears leave their mothers in search of new homes.
Officials say the bears will typically move along on their on if given space,
For more information on how to reduce the chances of conflicts with bears or other wildlife, click here.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.