Officials: Black bear has 'probably' left town

A black bear spotted roaming about the Converse Heights neighborhood Sunday is now presumed to have left Spartanburg.

S.C. Department of Natural Resources officers tracked the bear into a wooded area of Duncan Park toward the end of the day Sunday. Officers revisited the area Monday morning and saw no signs that the bear was still present.

“He’s probably headed out of town now,” said Tammy Wactor, a biologist with SCDNR. “We feel like he’s moved on.”

The bear was continuing south, she said.

It had an estimated weight of 75 to 80 pounds and was seen climbing trees and wandering through neighborhoods and back yards Sunday afternoon.

No one else as of Monday morning has called in to report a bear sighting, Wactor said.

Officers are still monitoring the area and will continue to respond if they receive any more reports, she said.

Residents are still advised to keep food, bird feeders and pets indoors as to not attract the bear in case it is still nearby, she said.

“That helps tremendously. If he is still hanging out in the wooded area, if food is there it will attract him,” she said.

Anyone spotting a bear in the city of Spartanburg is advised to call SCDNR at 800-922-5431 or report the sighting online at www.scdnr.gov.