JOHNS CREEK, Ga.,None — Police believe a black bear spotted in Johns Creek is likely the same bear spotted last week near Sandy Springs and Dunwoody.
"This seems to be a young, adult male who is maybe expanding his territory, maybe looking for some food," said Johns Creek police Sgt. Dion Smith.
Channel 2's Mike Petchenik followed Smith Friday as he tracked the bear and warned park-goers in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation area. Smith said several homeowners in the nearby Country Club of The South spotted the bear and called police.
As long as the residents in the community dont put any food out and entice the bear, in a couple of days, itll pass along and head back to its normal territory range," he said.
Smith said officials believe the bear is likely moving up the river basin on its way back to North Georgia. He said police had contacted the Department of Natural Resources, but that DNR officials would allow the bear to continue on its path as long as it wasn't posing a risk to humans.
Park visitor Phil Sehenuk told Petchenik that he's seen black and grizzly bears in Alaska and Montana, but never in metro Atlanta.
I think its cool, but people better be careful," he said.