After almost two days of bear sightings in Oak Ridge, Y-12 National Security Complex workers reported Wednesday night that a mother black bear and cub were last seen before 7 p.m. on the west end of Bear Creek Road.
Earlier in the day, an employee reported that a bear was spotted on the north side of Y-12.
At least one bear was in Oak Ridge on Tuesday.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Wildlife Officer Jason Lankford has said bear sightings are normal this time of year as young male bears try to establish new territory after older bears push them out of preserves like Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Oak Ridge is between the two preserves.
There have been no reports of injuries caused by the bear or bears.
In response to a question about a young black bear he was trying to herd south Tuesday, Lankford said it doesn’t pose a threat to humans, but residents should use common sense if they see it. That black bear, estimated to be about 15 months old and 150 pounds, was in the Woodland neighborhood and headed south.
While there haven’t been any injuries, there has been a lot of buzz in the community about the first bear, with residents and workers curious to know where it was last spotted.
Oak Ridge Police Department Lt. Brad Jenkins has said the bear wouldn’t be tranquilized unless it became aggressive.
