A homeowner in Oviedo, Florida, said a black bear used her backyard bird feeder as a snack box.
Sheila Wheeler said in her 25 years in the home, it's the first time she's seen a bear in her yard.
Her home is surrounded by other homes and shopping plazas.
“(The bear) started eating out of it, and then it just pulled it down a little and sat down, then pulled it down,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler removed the bird feeder, but worries the sighting means bears are losing their territory and more will end up in her neighborhood.
“When you think of all the kids in the neighborhood and stuff, and people out walking their dogs and animals outside, it’s a little scary,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler thinks it is possible nearby construction might be pushing bears out of their natural habitat.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers said bears will search for food and young males will search for their own territory.
The black bear in Central Florida population has grown 17 percent since 2002.
Wildlife officials said so far this year, they've received about 10 bear-related calls in Oviedo, Florida. In Seminole County overall, wildlife officers took 156 calls.
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