Mama Bear and her cub in Grayton Beach!

[Teresa]

[FONT=lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif]Grayton Beach[/FONT] black bears recently spent a day in a tall tree in the middle of town Thursday, just a few feet down from Andy Sacsynski's Art Gallery and Hurricane Oyster Bar... Locals and visitors walking by got a glimpse of beautiful wildlife at the beach. Before long, there was a crowd of people watching from a distance and taking photos... Finally, the bears were left in peace but we heard they waited until late afternoon or early evening to come down and start their search for food.

Local people and businesses have learned a lot about living with bears over the years. We've heard about the challenges of keeping dumpsters closed and bear proof, and frequent sightings around South Walton and especially near Grayton Beach.

Here is a SoWal.com bear story with tips to keep us and them safe from harm > http://www.sowal.com/story/south-waltons-black-bears-active-in-the-fall

Photo by Making Memories Photography of Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Black bears, alligators, sharks, humans... we're all in this together.

 

[Teresa]

more mama bear + cub photos in Grayton Beach from last week
photos by Collis Thompson / SoWal Videographer

 

[TidePride]

That's awesome

 

[30a Saluki]

It is best to give bears a wide berth, especially when they have cubs.

 

[Kurt]

It is best to give bears a wide berth, especially when they have cubs.

Agree for sure. After seeing some of the photos from right under the tree I am glad no one got killed. If the cub had fallen or climbed down, mama would have leaped right on top of the nearest person and tore them apart. Then all the bears would be trapped or shot.

For the sake of humans and bears - steer clear!

 

[Jdarg]

The only reason these bears have been hanging around this area so long is the "dumpster buffet" provided by the local food establishments. There is no incentive for them to move on and forage for their natural diet as long as garbage is practically handed to them on platters. Bear proof dumpsters for businesses and education of property owners (who should educate their vacation renters) are really needed in the Grayton area, not only for the health of the bears, but human safety too.