Bear Sighting in Collegedale

A young male black bear was seen, near the Imagination Station playground in Collegedale.

Police say this one was seen Wednesday mid-afternoon and may be starting out on its own, looking for new territory.

Collegedale Police Spokesperson Tonya Sadler says he may have been trying to get to Enterprise South Nature Park.

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials say it’s not uncommon to see black bears in the area, during this time of season.

“They just tried to push it away from the playground by a presence, like a line to push it off. Try to give it space to go back into the woods, hopefully move along.”

Sadler says if you see a bear, do not approach or run from it.

Give it space and make noise to try and steer it in the opposite direction.