Repeated black bear sightings in East Texas have caused officials to warn residents of the Lone Star State to remain “bear aware.”
According to Chron, a man near Elkhart, East Texas recently spotted one on his driveway. And in San Antonio last week, a black bear was spotted near the Rio Grande between Laredo and San Ygnacio.
Black bears, as a species, are currently threated in Texas. The abundance of black bear sightings in East Texas recently has officials believing that more black bears are just lost.
In a statement, the Texas Parts and Wildlife Department said that “this time of year, young bears are leaving their mothers and may end up in unusual places.”
The TPWD says that black bears are usually harmless though if you can encounter one in the wild, there are some steps you can take to ensure your safety:
-Talk calmly and back away slowly from the bear, keeping note of the bear while not making direct contact.
-Appear tall if approached by a bear by raising your arms and yelling.
-Never run away from a bear.
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