Black Bears Spotted, Captured Across Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts Neighborhoods

Black bear sightings and encounters have increased in several U.S. states this summer, including Alabama, Massachusetts, and Florida, as these animals search for food due to habitat encroachment and shifting environmental conditions. In northwest Alabama, multiple sightings of a young black bear have been reported, with officials noting bears migrating east into less typical areas. In Massachusetts, a black bear was spotted in a residential yard, highlighting concerns about habitat overlap and the impact of weather patterns like record heat on bear behavior. Florida has seen several black bears roaming neighborhoods, such as Fort Myers, where authorities from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and local sheriff’s offices have intervened to safely capture and relocate bears to more suitable habitats. Experts emphasize that bears are more active during summer and often enter populated areas seeking food, and residents are advised not to approach bears but to maintain a safe distance and contact wildlife officials. These incidents underscore the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence as development and climate factors continue to alter natural habitats.