Lynchburg Police: black bear sightings in Timberlake Rd. area

Lynchburg police say over the last several days a black bear has been spotted in the Timberlake Rd. area between the Lynchburg Expressway and Old Graves Mill Rd.
At this pont, they say the bear hasn’t cause any harm, however they can be attracted to food near homes.
So, the police department is asking people in the area to secure garbage and bring it indoor if possible, bring pet food inside, and remove bird feeders.
Police say, the best thing to do when encountering a black bear is leave it alone. Respect the bear’s space. Do not escalate the situation by approaching, chasing, or crowding around the bear.  Do not attempt to feed the bear.  If the bear fails to find a food supply it should leave the area and return to a more natural habitat.