[UPDATE 2] Video footage of what looks to be the bear being captured has emerged. The bear is reportedly being relocated to its natural habitat outside of Disney World in the Ocala National Forest.
NEW: The FWC safely captured the adult, female bear spotted in a tree earlier today at Magic Kingdom Park. The bear was captured in a backstage area northeast of the Rivers of America. pic.twitter.com/mxXYCvYOHm
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 18, 2023
[UPDATE] Disney said it worked in partnership with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to capture and relocate the bear in Frontierland.
NEW statement from Disney: “We are working with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and have made the decision to reopen Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland.”
“As shared by the FWC, staff are on site and working on capturing and relocating the bear.” https://t.co/yQAFHEbuaI— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 18, 2023
The original story is below.
A real-life wild bear has found its way into Walt Disney World in Florida. According to multiple reports from the park, a bear has been spotted near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland, prompting closures of multiple areas of the iconic theme park.
Due to the bear, Disney has temporarily closed Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and other attractions, according to Entertainment Weekly.
WDW Magic reported that the bear was spotted in a tree, while Mickey Views said the bear was found in a cave on Tom Sawyer’s island. Disney has yet to release an official statement on the matter.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates there are more than 4,000 black bears in Florida, and there are regular sightings in the Orlando area. Due to an increase in bear populations, officials in Florida opened hunting season on black bears in 2015, but this proved to be controversial. There was no legal bear hunt approved for 2023.
In July, a squirrel got into Disney World’s Carousel of Progress.
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