A black bear tore through a Cobb County apartment complex Monday afternoon, startling residents and starring in a brief video that quickly made the rounds online. Neighbors said they were grateful no one ended up nose to nose with the animal, but many added they are staying alert in case it comes back.
Video Spreads, Neighbors On Edge
The sighting, caught on video and widely shared online, happened at an apartment complex in Cobb County, residents told WSB-TV. One neighbor, Lyrik Love, told the station, "It was here? Oh no! I didn't see that. That's crazy!" Other tenants said they were relieved they had not crossed paths with the bear and described keeping an eye on parking lots and green spaces while local authorities watched the situation.
State Wildlife Officials Point To Spring Dispersal
Georgia Department of Natural Resources biologists say spring is a common time for young male black bears to separate from their mothers and roam into suburban areas searching for territory and easy meals, which can pull them into neighborhoods. The agency's BearWise guidance, which includes removing bird feeders, securing garbage and cleaning grills, is designed to cut down on those temptations and keep both people and bears safer, according to the Georgia DNR's Wildlife Resources Division (Georgia DNR). State biologists estimate about 4,100 black bears live in Georgia and recommend residents try to habitat-proof their yards before calling trappers or law enforcement.
How To Stay Safe And Who To Call
Wildlife officials advise residents not to approach or feed a wild bear, to keep pets inside and to make loud noises from a safe distance if they need to encourage a bear to move along. The DNR also recommends securing trash, taking down bird feeders while bears are active and storing grills and other scented items indoors. Sightings should be reported to the agency's Georgia DNR Ranger Hotline or by calling 1-800-241-4113. If the animal appears aggressive or someone is in immediate danger, residents are urged to call 911.
Recent Sightings Aren't Isolated
The apartment complex encounter comes on the heels of an April report of a bear on a Marietta front porch, part of a series of suburban sightings that have officials urging neighbors to remove anything that might draw wildlife in. That earlier reporting included DNR Urban Wildlife Program Manager Ben McCullar's explanation that mothers often "kick out" adolescent males in spring and that biologists typically only trap or relocate bears in extreme nuisance or emergency situations, as reported by WSB-TV. Residents at the complex said they plan to keep a close watch on common areas until wildlife staff or property managers confirm the animal has moved on.
For now, neighbors say they are following the DNR's BearWise steps and keeping pets and children close while county and property officials review footage and monitor the area for any new activity. More information and detailed tips are available on the state's BearWise pages (Georgia DNR).
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