Video: Bear Seen 'Hanging Out In Johns Creek For Several Weeks'

JOHNS CREEK, GA — This seems to be the summer of the bears in Johns Creek after a bear was filmed on a security camera walking through a backyard Thursday.

The Johns Creek Police posted the video on their Facebook page of the bear in the area of Morton Road near State Bridge Road.

"This bear has been hanging in Johns Creek for several weeks now," the department wrote about the bear they named "John the JC Bear."

Earlier this summer, a bear and her cub were seen Thursday, June 20 around 10:16 a.m. at the Atlanta Athletic Club, Medlock Bridge Road and Bobby Jones Drive in Johns Creek, the Johns Creek Police posted on Facebook.

That same week in Norcross, a bear was struck by a vehicle on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. at Holcomb Bridge Road. The bear was seen running into the wooded area by the responding officer appearing to be uninjured, Norcross Police said.

Norcross Police say to be aware of this incident and monitor pets accordingly. Since the bear is in their natural habitat, the police department and the Department of Natural Resources cannot take any actions against the bear, police said.

In July, the mayor of Alpharetta tweeted a photo of a bear swimming in Lake Windward. The City of Alpharetta posted July 17 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 sighted, 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.