A BEAR Was Spotted in the Orlando Area..And No, It Doesn't Play the Banjo

Seeing bears in Disney World might feel like a regular occurrence — but those bears are typically animatronics, fuzzy creatures searching for honey, or silly characters playing the banjo — not usually the REAL deal.

But real bears do exist in Florida. While you won’t find them chowing down on a Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar on Main Street, U.S.A., some bears have popped up in more urban areas lately!

Back in 2022, we shared how fall and the changing seasons can bring a larger risk of Black Bears to Florida. But we’re approaching the summer, which is part of what might make this news a little surprising.

According to The Orlando Sentinel, for the SECOND time in just a few weeks, a young bear was spotted in an “urban tree in the Orlando area.” This time, the bear was on John Young Parkway in Orange County. Disney World is partially located in Orange County, but it seems like this bear was a decent distance away.

©Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel

The Sentinel shares that the bear was up in a tree near Silver Star Road, close to College Park and Fairview Shores. Based on a search on Google Maps, it looks like that is about 35 minutes away from Disney World. So no need to worry about the bears taking up all the Genie+ Lightning Lanes for the day just yet.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was alerted to the bear’s presence and agency staff monitored the bear. The bear eventually left the tree it was on and moved into a more wooded place. The FWC will keep monitoring for sightings.

So why are these bears popping up now? Well, FWC officials indicate that the timing matches with a time of the year when young bears leave their moms and start to go on adventures on their own.

FWC spokesperson Lisa Thompson said, “During this time of year, bears are more active. Juvenile bears are starting to disperse and leave their mother’s home range and may be seen in unexpected areas as they try to find a new home…Typically, these bears will move away on their own.”

So what should you do if you see a wild bear in the Orlando area? It’s critical to leave them alone. Thompson indicated, “If you see a bear, give it space, don’t try to approach it, and never feed it…We ask that all people keep their distance to allow this bear the best chance of success at leaving the area, as well as for safety reasons.”

You Might Not Want to Feed This Bear Either

This latest sighting follows the appearance of a bear near Lake Eola Park that spent 3 days napping in trees in the area before it was captured by FWC and taken to the Ocala National Forest.

Apparently, FWC officials used DONUTS and SYRUP in a trap to lure that bear! We can’t blame that bear for wanting to come in for a snack — some Evergalzed donuts might have tempted it even more.

Though these bear stories seem to have ended well, things can be dangerous for them in urban areas, particularly when it comes to moving vehicles. So it’s important to be careful out there.

Again, seeing these bears in urban environments might not be all that common but it’s a good thing to keep in mind as you travel to Florida. Between bears, hairy bugs, and lovebugs, Florida is NO JOKE when it comes to animals. But in Disney World, your main concern might really just be getting in line early enough to visit your favorite furry friends! 😂