Black bears were spotted on Monday evening digging through trash cans and climbing fences in Oviedo communities near County Road 419.
The Oviedo Police Department says it has received multiple reports, photos, and video of black bears getting into trash cans in the Sanctuary and Riverside areas.
“We had a hard time getting them to leave, and they kept coming back out because they knew there was food in the cans,” said one resident.
The bears visited at 7:30 p.m., with multiple kids and neighbors out in the area.
Oviedo police are advising residents to consider keeping trash inside the garage or a shed, or to purchase bear-resistant trash cans.
Black bear mating season takes place every year from June to August, according to the Florida Wildlife Federation.