Port St. Lucie police shared rare video footage Tuesday of a black bear swimming through a waterway in the Town Park community before exiting the water and running toward nearby homes, marking an unusual wildlife sighting along the Treasure Coast. The video, posted on the Port St. Lucie Police Department's Facebook page, shows the large black bear navigating through residential waters in what officials described as seasonal behavior for Florida's black bear population.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Bear Management Program said they are monitoring the bear. If it does not move from the area on its own, bear biologists may set a trap to try and capture and relocate it. Port St. Lucie police stated on Facebook that as Florida's black bears become more active this time of year in search of food, occasional sightings in residential neighborhoods can occur. According to the FWC, bear sightings remain rare throughout most of the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County regions, making Tuesday's Port St. Lucie encounter particularly noteworthy for local residents.
Wildlife officials emphasize specific protocols when encountering black bears in residential areas. If residents spot a bear, authorities recommend maintaining significant distance, never approaching the animal, and avoiding any attempts to feed it. Port St. Lucie police advise residents to keep children and pets away from bears and secure potential food sources including garbage, pet food, and bird seed around their properties. During unexpected bear encounters, officials stress remaining calm and avoiding running. Instead, residents should slowly back away while keeping the bear visible, speak in calm, firm tones, and ensure the animal has a clear escape route.