Caught on Camera: A black bear wandering too close for comfort in Golden Gate Estates

Neighbors are on high alert after a bear comes too close for comfort. A suspected mama bear was caught on camera in Golden Gate Estates is causing concerns.

A camera in the driveway of a home in Golden Gate Estates captures animals bumping through the night. The latest one is a big black bear which has the homeowner concerned.

“It just sniffed through the trash there and then kind of walked down the driveway, and it’s pretty huge. I’m just kind of worried about kids that go from dusk till dawn. People that walk their dogs. I just want them to be aware that these are here,” Tina McKenzie said.

McKenzie shared the video of the bear with her neighbors.

Animal behavior expert Billy Gunnels, with Florida Gulf Coast University, said the bear is likely looking for food, especially this time of the year because their usual snacks haven’t bloomed.

He said the other reason the bear could be in the neighborhood, “as we move into their habitats, absolutely it pushes them together. Now the bears are not territorial, so they are finessing in each other’s spaces, but the more bears you have in a space, the less food there is available.”

While some neighbors in Golden Gate Estates have not yet run into a bear, others have run into other dangerous animals and won’t forget it.

“A while back, me and my buddy were out here, just talking and hanging out at night and a momma panther and a baby panther. We were about to become snacks for them,” said Timothy Sheperd.

Panthers have also been caught on camera roaming around at night in Golden Gate Estates. Homeowners admit they knew the risks when they moved to the area.

To help avoid having these late-night visitors, experts recommend homeowners not create an environment where they can find food because the access to food will encourage them to come back.