Orlando’s Lake Eola bear on the move again

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Fish and Wildlife say the juvenile bear seen around Lake Eola has left a second tree and has not been seen since Tuesday morning.

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FWC Bear Management Program staff say the bear came down from the tree around 1 a.m. Tuesday.

The bear was first spotted on Sunday near the Relax Grill on the northwest corner of Lake Eola.

On Sunday, Orlando police barricaded the area while FWC monitored the bear’s activities.

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FWC left a trap overnight, hoping to capture the furry creature.

Officials say the bear climbed down from the tree at some point Sunday night to inspect the trap that was set but was “spooked” away by a bicyclist that breached the perimeter of the caution tape that was set up to keep people out of the area.

On Monday, the bear was spotted again, on the other side of Lake Eola near World of Bear.

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Orlando police and FWC secured the area, but by Tuesday morning, the bear was gone.

Officials say the best chance of getting the bear to leave the area will be for onlookers to “keep their distance.”

According to FWC, it’s common to see bears during this time of year because they’re more active as juvenile bears leave their mothers searching for new homes.

Officials say the bears will typically move along on their own if given space.

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