Police issue BOLO for bear in Northwest Jacksonville

File photo of a Florida black bear seen May 26 in Fort Myers. This bear was eventually trapped and relocated by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers and will be relocated. (Andrew West/The News-Press via AP) (WJXT)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Police report getting three calls Thursday from people reporting seeing a bear near the area of Edgewood Avenue and Avenue B.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said the Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified and they urged anyone who sees the bear to “not approach or agitate.”

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Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission said the bear is a juvenile and weighs about 75 pounds.

Black bears are not uncommon in Florida, but rare in populated areas. Five years ago, FWC estimated there were close to 4,000 in the state.

People who see the bear to call their non-emergency number, 904-630-0500, or the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC.