Newnan has a new celebrity roaming the east side, and it is very much not house-trained. A black bear, quickly nicknamed “East Side Eddie” (or possibly “Edith”) by officers, was spotted Thursday and is now quietly moving through neighborhoods while police and animal control keep an eye on its progress.
The Newnan Police Department put residents on alert and is asking everyone to keep their distance. Officers say the bear has not shown any aggressive behavior so far. The city’s Animal Control Unit is tracking the animal and has contacted the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for guidance, allowing the bear to move through the area without interference while they monitor where it goes.
According to WSB-TV, Newnan police said the bear was seen on the city’s east side and stressed a simple rule: “If you happen to spot the bear, please do not approach it.” The station reports that Animal Control is watching the animal’s movements closely and has already coordinated with state wildlife officials.
What DNR Recommends
Guidance from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is clear: if a bear is just passing through, leave it alone unless it becomes a nuisance or safety concern. Residents are urged to secure trash, bring pet food indoors, and take down bird feeders at night so hungry bears are not tempted by an easy meal.
DNR’s recent “Pick Up Trash and Be BearWise” release emphasizes that the best way to avoid conflict is to cut off human-sourced attractants in the first place. The agency offers printable guidance and operates a ranger hotline for reporting nuisance wildlife, so officials can step in if a situation escalates.
Why Bears Turn Up In Town
Wildlife officials say this kind of visit is not exactly a shock. Younger male black bears are often pushed out of their territories in late spring and summer and can end up following streams and wooded corridors that lead straight into suburbs while they search for food.
That pattern was noted in coverage of another bear seen in Coweta County, where conservation rangers tried but did not immediately locate the animal. The Covington News (AP) reported that most Georgia bears live in the northern mountains, along the Ocmulgee River corridor, and in the Okefenokee, yet transient bears do occasionally appear well outside those core areas.
How Neighbors Should Respond
Neighbors are being asked to treat East Side Eddie like any other wild animal: do not feed it, do not approach it, and do not give it reasons to hang around. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, residents should secure garbage, clean or secure grills, and remove outdoor pet food that might attract bears looking for an easy snack.
If a bear becomes aggressive, damages property, or refuses to move on, residents should contact local authorities or call the DNR Ranger Hotline at 1-800-241-4113 so wildlife officers can respond. Non-urgent sightings should go to the non-emergency police line. Officials say to reserve 911 for situations where there is an immediate danger to people or pets.
For now, Newnan’s Animal Control Unit will continue to track the bear while DNR considers next steps, and police are asking residents to give the animal space and report any fresh sightings, WSB-TV reported. In the meantime, officials say the best move is simple: keep outdoor attractants locked down and keep an eye on local police channels for updates.
