With the recent bear sighting last week at the St. Stephen Elementary School -- the furry creatures seem to be popping up everywhere.
The kids were back outside this week, after the black bear was spotted on the playground last Monday.
Forest Resource Officer in St. George, Jack MacNeil tells Tide News there hasn't been any more sightings at the school. He says the students, principal, teachers, and many parents were worried about students going outside to play, so the Natural Resources Department asked to keep the children inside for the week, while traps were set to make sure the bear was moving out of the area.
MacNeil says it's normal this time of year to see lots of activity. Bears, coyotes, and foxes, during the spring, it's time for them to make their territory, and it is more common to see the animals out and about.
He adds, most of the calls haven't been about bears causing damage, just moving through people's yards, fields, or infront of businesses.
MacNeil says if you run into a bear, playing dead doesn't work. He says to speak in a loud voice, make yourself appear bigger by raising your arms, and back away slowly.
Do not climb a tree to escape because bears can climb trees, and in the rare case that a bear charges, MacNeil says it's usually a false charge, and if you are loud and appear bigger, they will usually turn tail and run away.
