Residents have continued sharing photos of black bears spotted all across Marion County in recent weeks.
Mary Paquin-Marquez shared several photos of a bear that was grazing on the side of the road near Ocala National Forest in early October.
Karen Yvette came across this bear several weeks ago in Fort McCoy.
Valerie Withrow shared a few photos of black bears roaming around.
This bear was spotted near Tay Heater’s back porch.
Wendy Pomahatch found this bear near a neighbor’s house in Silver Springs.
Wildlife officials advise residents to secure all food, garbage, and recycling, as those items may draw the interest of a hungry bear. That even includes things like bird feeders, as bears may be attracted to seeds and grains.
If you see a bear in the area, do not intentionally feed or approach them, and make sure to always keep your distance.
Do you have any photos, videos or encounters with black bears in Ocala and Marion County? Share your videos and photos with us through our photo submission webpage. Or share through our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram social channels.