ORLANDO, Fla. – A black bear's visit to downtown Orlando caused quite a commotion over the weekend.
The 200-pound 2-year-old bear was spotted Sunday in a tree in the Parramore community.
People of all ages rushed to Jackson Street to check out the action and encountered the bear having a lazy day, staying in the tree for hours.
The bear was tranquilized and removed from the tree. It will be returned to the wild, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist David Turner said.
Bear sightings are common in early and late spring as mother bears leave their cubs to mate again, according to Turner.
He advises residents to stay inside if they see a bear in their yard and call 911 or animal control. If outside, Turner said not to run but to back away slowly.