The Country Bear Musical Jamboree recently announced some changes for a new show in 2024—and apparently word got out to the bear community, because a real life black bear made a surprise appearance at Frontierland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
Reports of a black bear sighting at the Orlando, Florida Disney Park resort began appearing online earlier Monday, as word got out about attractions being closed in the vicinity of Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland. Disney Parks jumped into action, initially shutting a total of 10 attractions in Frontierland as stories spread of a bear being stuck in a tree. Frontierland is a major part of the train track stretch, so it’s possible that the bear wandered in there and into the areas surrounding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the construction area for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
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Walt Disney World confirmed the unexpected visitor’s presence in a statement: “We are working with the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and have made the decision to reopen Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park. Please see below for information that is being shared from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). As shared by the FWC, staff are on site and working on capturing and relocating the bear.”
Update: Florida Fish and Wildlife have safely collected the adult female bear that was seen stuck in a tree at Magic Kingdom.
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From Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is aware of a black bear reported in a tree on Walt Disney World property at the Magic Kingdom. Biologists with the FWC’s Bear Management Program, as well as FWC Law Enforcement officers, have safely captured the adult, female bear. In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff have captured the animal and are relocating the bear out of the park to an area in or around the Ocala National Forest.
During the fall, bears are more active as they search for food to pack on fat reserves for the winter. This particular bear was likely moving through the area searching for food.The FWC reminds people that if you see a bear, to give it space and never approach or feed it. To learn more about bears and how to avoid conflicts with them, visit MyFWC.com/Bear or BearWise.org. For more information about bears being more active in fall, the FWC recently put out a news release on the topic: .Contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) if you feel threatened by a bear; observe a sick, injured, dead or orphaned bear; or to report someone who is either harming bears or intentionally feeding them.
io9 will, obviously, be keeping an eye out for any updates on the bear news.
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