A large bear paid a visit to a Fort Myers neighborhood Friday night, June 19.
Fort Myers Police Department officers responded to reports of the black bear spotted in the Evans Avenue area.
Steer clear of bears when they come to town
The police department advised residents to keep their distance and warned residents:
Fort Myer Police Department’s ‘beary’ night
In a punny post on its social media sites, Fort Myers police said their response to the bear sighting turned June 19th into a “beary long night”.
“Bears are usually just passing through. The best thing you can do is give them room and let them move along safely,” the post said.
The department posted a photo of the bear sauntering through a yard with garbage and recycling cans in the background.
Bear reports common and on the rise
Bear reports are common throughout Southwest Florida and the state.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission receives more than 6,000 calls about black bears each year.
Florida’s black bear population has grown from under 500 in the 1970s to about 4,000 in 2025.
Cindy McCurry-Ross is executive editor of The News-Press. Reach her at cmcross@news-press.com.
Do you have an opinion about this topic? Send us a letter to the editor or guest column at mailbag@news-press.com or letters@naplesnews.com.
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Black bear spotted roaming through Fort Myers neighborhood
Reporting by Cindy McCurry-Ross, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cindy McCurry-Ross, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
