Black bear spotted in north Oak Ridge

A black bear eats at a bird feeder on Oglethorpe Place in Oak Ridge this week. (Submitted photos by Todd and Cheryl Thomas)

Residents in north Oak Ridge reported seeing a bear in yards on Orchard Circle and Oglethorpe Place and on Key Springs Road this week, eating at bird feeders and climbing up on backyard grills.

It’s not clear if the bear spotted in north Oak Ridge this week is the same bear that was spotted in Woodland on May 22. There were also reports of a mother and cub on the west end of Y-12 National Security Complex last week.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Wildlife Officer Jason Lankford has previously compared young bears to over-sized raccoons, but he said residents should use common sense if they see one.

More information and photos will be added as they become available.

It's not clear if the black bear spotted on Oglethorpe Place and Orchard Circle this week is the same bear that was in Woodland on May 22.

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JennisonL

This is awesome! We have a huge wildlife problem here in W. OR. Screaming foxes, coyotes who walk around during the day, deer, and coons.
- http://johnhuotari.com John Huotari
  
  I’m working on a follow-up to find out how many bears might be in Oak Ridge.
Susie Williams Taylor

My good friend, Barbara Starlin Halliburton has a vacation home on Walnut Mountain in Ellijay, GA. They are instructed to NOT have bird feeders nor leave out cat/dog food, etc. We’ve watched them from their porch and just walking down the road. Also, don’t leave food in your vehicles…they WILL get in and eat amongst other things…they’re just foraging for food,…berries, pear/apple trees, etc. They also will get into grills due to the grease odor. It IS their land ya know~~~
- http://johnhuotari.com John Huotari
  
  Susie, your advice about food, grills, etc., is about the same as what the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers have told me.
Donna King

Park Officials evidently need to relocate these guys to somewhere else other than Big South Fork (from The Smokies)…….that would evidently eliminate them from passing through our City on their way back “home”!
- http://johnhuotari.com John Huotari
  
  I’m wondering how long the bear might stay.