Bear Shows Up At FL Sheriff's Office, Camps Out In Tree

MARTIN COUNTY, FL — Deputies and other employees at a sheriff's office in Florida got an unexpected visit Monday night.

A large black bear showed up at headquarters, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said the bear walked through the agency's parking area and camped out for a little while in a tree near the investigations division.

The sheriff's office contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to respond to the bear sighting. After a short time, deputies said the bear decided to calmly go away on its own.

The sheriff's office said there have been increasing bear sightings in the area.

"FWC is urging everyone to take a moment and learn a little bit about what to do if you see a bear," the sheriff's office posted to its official Facebook account. "One of the biggest things you can do to prevent a bear visit is to secure your trash cans."

Bears are found throughout Florida and sometimes visit neighborhoods. If bears can not find food, they will move on, state wildlife officials said.

To avoid conflicts, do not approach or feed bears, the FWC warns. For other safety tips, visit this link.