Video: Bears Take Stroll Through North GA Backyards

BLUE RIDGE, GA — Bears can be seen roaming around backyards in Georgia last week on videos as seen on the Neighbors app.

Both videos, submitted by neighbors in Blue Ridge, show the bears walking around the backyards. In the first video, the bear can be seen sniffing a truck and wood in the trunk.

In the second video, the bear walks along rocks in a Blue Ridge backyard before walking away.

While the bears look calm, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division says removing attractants is critical in resolving conflicts between people and bears.

"It may take several days for the bear to learn that it will no longer find a free meal," the department says. "Usually, the bear will move on when the food source is gone. Nuisance issues can be resolved through simple actions, like removing bird feeders and outdoor pet food, or storing garbage in an area unavailable to bears, such as in a garage or enclosed building."

According to the DNR, there are no recorded bear attacks on humans in Georgia, and no fatalities. There have only been two documented fatal black bear attacks in the Southeastern United States.

If seen, do not approach or attempt to capture the bear.

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.