Bear Seen Swimming In Lake Windward, Alpharetta Cautions Public

ALPHARETTA, GA — The temperature is heating up outside leading many of us to our neighborhood pools, which may be the same for a bear who recently took a dip in a local lake.

The City of Alpharetta posted online Wednesday morning that they have received multiple reports of a black bear wandering the northeast area of Alpharetta. It was even seen taking a morning dip in Lake Windward, the city said. Other reports said they saw the bear near Alpharetta High School.

"The bear is unlikely to be a threat to anyone unless people approach or provoke it," the city posted. "We do, however, encourage everyone using the Greenway for the next few days to make noise so any bear that may be in the area knows you are coming and has time to leave."

Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilven tweeted Wednesday morning a photo of the bear sewimming in Lake Windward.

If seen, do not approach or attempt to capture the bear. Police advise to leave the bear alone if you see it.

Here are some tips from Bearwise:

1. Never feed bears: Intentionally feeding bears or allowing them to find anything that smells or tastes like food teaches bears to approach homes and people looking for more. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don't risk your safety and theirs.
2. Secure food, garbage and recycling: Food and food odors attract bears, so don't reward them with easily available food, liquids or garbage.
3. Remove bird feeders when bears are active: Birdseed and grains have lots of calories, so they're very attractive to bears. Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears.
4. Never leave pet food outdoors: Feed pets indoors when possible. If you must feed pets outside, feed in single portions and remove food and bowls after feeding. Store pet food where bears can't see or smell it.
5. Clean and store grills: Clean grills after each use and make sure that all grease, fat and food particles are removed. Store clean grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.
6. Alert bear activity to neighbors: See bears in the area or evidence of bear activity? Tell your neighbors and share info on how to avoid bear conflicts. Bears have adapted to living near people; now it's up to us to adapt to living near bears.

Black bears once roamed over all of America's forested lands. But after European settlement, their numbers and habitat in the Southeast dwindled. Thanks to new attitudes and enlightened conservation and management efforts, black bears are making a dramatic comeback over much of their historic home range.

Now that bears are returning to areas they used to call home, it's up to people and communities to learn how to peacefully coexist with these animals.

Today, the Southeast is home to more than 70,000 black bears, with Bearwise estimating 5,100 in Georgia.