Are black bears out of place in Cape Coral?

A black bear was spotted last Friday in Cape Coral’s Westin on SW 57th Street, sparking both excitement and concern among residents.

Multiple surveillance cameras captured the bear roaming the area, leading the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to confirm that black bears are not uncommon in Florida.

• RELATED: Caught on Camera: Black bear seen roaming in Cape Coral

According to the FWC, it is typical to see increased bear activity during spring and summer as juvenile bears leave their mothers to find new territories.

The FWC advised residents to give bears space, avoid feeding them and secure food sources to prevent them from lingering.

In a statement, the FWC emphasized:

• Juvenile black bears may be seen in unexpected areas during the spring and summer as they disperse from their mothers
• Increased bear activity is normal during this season
• If you see a bear, give it space and do not feed it
• Bears are usually not aggressive, but incidents with dogs have occurred, so keep pets close

Although Cape Coral is not commonly known for bear activity, bear sightings can occur in suburban and urban areas during these seasons.

Just last month, a black bear was spotted in downtown Fort Myers.

The FWC advises residents to contact their Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if they feel threatened by a bear or observe a sick, injured, dead or orphaned bear.