A bear first spotted in Newnan's Stonebridge subdivision in June has apparently found a reason to stick around, and a Georgia wildlife biologist says residents may have the best chance of convincing it to move on. Ben Carr, a bear biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said bears that linger in residential areas are usually there for one reason: easy access to food. "If they have easy access to it, they're going to stick around," Carr said. "And if that access disappears, they're going to move on." The American black bear was first captured on Donald Alderman's Ring camera around 4 a.m. in late June after it wandered through his yard and destroyed bird feeders. Nearly two months later, residents have continued reporting sightings of what is believed to be the same bear in and around the Stonebridge area. Carr said the situation is not particularly unusual in Georgia, especially during the summer months when bear movement increases. Male bears travel more during the breeding season, while young bears, particularly males, may disperse into unfamiliar territory after leaving their mothers. Females with cubs also travel in search of food. As fall approaches, bears enter a period known as hyperphagia, when they consume large amounts of food in preparation for winter. "They're going to be putting on a ton of calories, and bears are just looking to eat wherever they can," Carr said. Carr said the bear's reported behavior has not reached the point where DNR…
*This content (including text, artwork, graphics, photography, and video) was provided by the third party(ies) as referenced above. Any rights or other content questions or inquiries should be directed to such third-party provider(s).
