Black bear returns to Bella Terra community

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ESTERO, Fla. – A familiar face is back in the Bella Terra community. The 400-pound bear was spotted roaming the neighborhood again Tuesday morning.

Earlier this month, Florida Fish and Wildlife officials tried to catch the bear using a bean bag gun and trap, but they were unsuccessful.

Residents caught the bear on video visiting the community once again on trash day.

“He was lethargic, breathing heavy,” said Donna Borghi. She lives a couple houses down from where the bear was caught on camera.

Borghi says minutes before, the bear was in her backyard, staring at her dogs.

“When I walked outside, they were nose to nose between the pool cage with the bear. The bear wasn’t aggressive or anything, but the dogs were barking.”

Since the bear sightings began a few weeks ago, neighbors on Ardore Lane are concerned about all the children living in Bella Terra.

“You don’t know what he’s capable of doing,” said Borghi. “Guess he’s smarter than the average bear, that’s why they haven’t caught him yet.”

FWC says if the bear continues to destroy property, they will think about sending a biologist out to the community to euthanize it.

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