Residents in Athens, Tennessee, have been placed on alert after a black bear was spotted running through town on Wednesday.
At least one bear has been seen around the Dupit Street and Tellico Avenue area east of Congress Parkway on Wednesday, according to a post on the city’s social media page. There was also a sighting reported later at Haley Street headed toward Oak Street a block away and closer to the downtown area, but there was no word on whether it was the same or a different bear, officials reported.
Athens police officer Sarah Gray snapped a photo of the bear as it high-tailed across the street, officials said of a photo posted with the alert on social media.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officials have been notified, officials said.
The TWRA recently issued warnings that young male bears this time of year are seeking food and new territory and ranging far and wide.