The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said residents in Clinton were surprised when a black bear was spotted multiple times over the weekend wandering around backyards and climbing fences. Bill Miley, a Clinton resident, spotted the bear on his surveillance camera Friday night. “I said, ‘Look at this person, Susan, come here,'” Miley said. The video showed the black bear strolling through Miley’s backyard on Lakeridge Lane. “I never expected a bear to be this close,” Miley said. Miley, who has been hunting wild animals as a hobby for years, said it was the first time he had seen a bear. Anthony Ballard, black bear program leader for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said there were three bear sightings over the weekend in multiple areas of Clinton. “They don’t want conflicts with humans,” Ballard said. Ballard said the bear was likely a young male that left its mother’s nest to establish its own home range. “It’s like a teenage boy being alone for the first time,” Ballard said. He said it’s common for bears to roam in the spring and summer, and advised residents to secure trash cans, empty bird feeders and avoid leaving pet food outside, as bears are often hungry. “They’re following their nose. They don’t really know where to go. They’re acting alone for the first time and may not be making the best decisions,” Ballard said. Miley said she took precautions to keep her home safe, but she enjoyed the experience. “Yeah, I don’t have a problem with the bears coming back around here. I think it’s a really good thing,” Miley said. Ballard also said sightings of black bears in Mississippi are a positive sign. This is because this species was once nearly extinct due to habitat loss and overhunting. Their population is currently steadily increasing. Mississippi is home to two types of black bears: the American black bear and the Louisiana black bear. Residents are advised not to intentionally feed bears. Bears come to expect free food, putting people and property at risk. Tap here for more information from MDWFP.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks said Clinton residents were surprised to see multiple black bears wandering around backyards and climbing fences over the weekend.
Bill Miley, a Clinton resident, spotted the bear on his home surveillance camera Friday night.
“I said, ‘Look at this person, Susan, come here,'” Miley said.
The video showed the black bear strolling through Miley’s backyard on Lakeridge Lane.
“I never expected a bear to be this close,” Miley said.
Miley, who has been hunting wild animals as a hobby for years, said it was the first time he had seen a bear.
Anthony Ballard, black bear program leader for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said there were three bear sightings over the weekend in multiple areas of Clinton.
“They don’t want conflicts with humans,” Ballard said. “We don’t go out looking for bears, but please be careful. If you see a bear, keep your distance.”
Ballard said the bear likely left its mother’s nest as a young male to establish his own home range.
“It’s like a teenage boy being alone for the first time,” Ballard said.
He said it’s common for bears to roam in the spring and summer, and advised residents to secure trash cans, empty bird feeders and avoid leaving pet food outside, as bears are often hungry.
“They’re following their nose. They don’t really know where to go. They’re acting alone for the first time and may not be making the best decisions,” Ballard said.
Miley said she took precautions to keep her home safe, but she enjoyed the experience.
“Yeah, I don’t have a problem with the bears coming back around here. I think it’s a really good thing,” Miley said.
Ballard also said sightings of black bears in Mississippi are a positive sign. This is because this species was once nearly extinct due to habitat loss and overhunting. Their population is currently steadily increasing. Mississippi is home to two types of black bears: the American black bear and the Louisiana black bear.
Residents are advised not to intentionally feed bears. Bears come to expect free food, putting people and property at risk. Tap here for more information from MDWFP.
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