CBS Miami
A real-life bear found itself a few paw steps away from the Country Bear Jamboree atWalt Disney World.
On Monday, Sept. 18, a Magic Kingdom cast member spotted a black bear in a tree during a routine pre-opening check of the Orlando, Florida park, according toNBC NewsandThe Associated Press.
Disney World delayed the opening of Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland in response to the bear sighting and called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to the scene to help remove the wild animal.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.Walt Disney Company
“In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff have captured the animal and are relocating the bear out of the park to an area in or around the Ocala National Forest,” the statement added.
“During the fall, bears are more active as they search for food to pack on fat reserves for the winter. This particular bear was likely moving through the area searching for food,” the FWC shared.
This isn’t the first time a wild animal has visited Disney World. PEOPLE reported in June 2021 thatmore than 250 alligatorshad been removed from Florida-based Disney properties since 2016. Some were euthanized, others were sold for meat, and a handful were sold to zoos and other attractions.
Florida recently held its first bear hunt in two decades.Getty Images
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Bears have also appeared in other unexpected places in Florida. In June,a bear was spotted wandering around Tampa International Airport, and earlier this month, a three-leggedblack bear was caught on tape stealing White Claw cans from a family’s fridge.
The FWC advises anyone who spots a black bear to give the animal space and refrain from feeding it.
source: people.com
