‘Do you have a guest pass?’ Watch a large bear roam around a Florida neighborhood
Residents in a gated community in Florida saw a lot of action on Father’s Day — and it had nothing to do with a backyard barbecue.
A large black bear was spotted roaming around the manicured streets of Milano, coming perilously close to the $400,000 homes.
Bystander videos shared on social media show the large animal lumbering along a footpath and then onto a few front lawns, sniffing around.
WINK News meteorologist Matt Devitt tweeted a viewer’s clip of the bear right in front of someone’s garage. A woman says off camera, “Oh my God. What if this bear was at your front door?” A child squeals in terror.
In the comments section of Devitt’s post, another social media user posted a video following the bear in a car.
“Hey, look, there’s no soliciting around here, all right? So you probably need to head back home,” the man in the clip jokes as a child laughs. “Is there anyone you want to see around here? Do you know what address you’re going to? Do you have a guest pass?”
In recent years, Florida black bears have seen their habitat reduced due to overdevelopment, and sightings in populated areas have increased.
Because of the higher number of sightings, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says communities can take some steps limit possibly dangerous interactions.
The key is to not have bears see humans as a food source. By securing your garbage, putting locks on lids, cleaning grills and all eliminating potential food sources, you can minimize the frequency of them roaming around your neighborhood.
“When people intentionally or inadvertently feed bears, both people and bears lose,” the agency says.
READ MORE: See a bear walk through a Florida mall with a steakhouse
