COLUMBIA — Several people caught a bear on video roaming the streets of Columbia just before midnight Thursday night. Witnesses saw the bear walking along Nifong Boulevard near several homes and businesses. Jay Froeschner heard a galloping noise while working on his truck Thursday night. That galloping noise came from a black bear.
Froeschner said, “We made eye contact for a solid 3 seconds. I thought I was dreaming at first. I realized it was real and got in my truck as soon as I could.”
Froeschner found safety in his truck after a black bear came charging at him. Froeschner followed the bear and took videos of the wild animal crossing Bethel Street. Froeschner called 911 and reported the bear sighting. Froeschner said law enforcement officers never responded to his call. Froeschner believed the bear would return to his neighborhood and rummage for food in garbage cans.
Froeschner said, “We don’t have locks on our dumpsters like they do in Colorado and such. I feel like there is a chance he is coming back.”
Missouri Department of Conservation Black Bear Biologist Nate Bowersock said Missouri’s black bear population was on the rise. He said it was not unusual to see a bear these days in heavily populated areas. Bowersock said in most cases, bears were afraid of people.
Bowersock said, “The big thing is to give the bear space. Bears, at the end of the day, don’t want to mess with us. We obviously don’t want to mess with them. If we give each other space, they tend to keep doing what they need to do which right now is just look for food.”
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Columbia police officials said they did not have special patrols because Thursday night’s bear sighting. Conservation officials said it was true what you see in the movies. If you come across a bear, freeze up and don’t move and the bear should leave you alone.
