BAY LAKE, Fla. — A bear sighting at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park Monday led to the closure of several rides and attractions at the park, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission said.
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FWC said an adult female black bear was spotted in a tree at Magic Kingdom Monday morning.
“Biologists with the FWC Bear Management Program along with FWC law enforcement officers safely captured the adult bear,” an FWC spokeswoman said. “In most cases it is best for bears to have space and be able to move around on their own, but given this situation, staff have captured the animal and are moving it out of the park to an area in or around from Ocala National Park. Forest.”
The agency said bears are most active in the fall when they search for food to build up fat reserves for winter.
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“This particular bear was likely moving through the area in search of food,” the spokeswoman said.
More than a dozen rides and attractions were closed Monday during the observation, according to the Disney app.
A company spokesperson said the park has since fully reopened.
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“We are working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and have made the decision to reopen Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park,” the spokesperson said.
FWC said if you see a bear in the wild, give it space and never approach or feed it.
If you ever spot one that is threatening, sick or injured, you can call FWC at 888-404-3922.
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