AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A black bear was spotted in North Augusta in the Austin Graybill Road area on Wednesday.

Officers with the North Augusta Department of Public Safety say they received calls about a black bear off exit 5 near Interstate 20.

Officers say they were not able to locate the bear.

On Tuesday, the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded to Stevens Creek Road at Clausen Road due to a large black bear sighting.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources officers assisted in relocating the bear to a less populated area.

It is unknown if the bear spotted in North Augusta is the same bear.

On the way to drop off her son for school on Wednesday, Diona Ford received a call about an unexpected visitor.

“I was leaving. It came around the corner, this side of the fence, just meandering along, minding its own business, trying to probably forage for some food.

Three bear sightings in three different counties: Richmond, Columbia and Aiken.

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Nic Bray is a wildlife biologist at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

“The typical behavior of a regular black bear is that they’re going to be, they don’t want to be around people. They’re going to be frightened. They’re usually just looking for an easy, cheap meal, like birdseed, garbage. I would advise everyone to secure their garbage right now and not give this bear an easy food source.

Officials say the bears likely wandered to the area looking for new territory, but will likely wander away on their own.

“Give it plenty of space and a way to leave, but shout, make noises. You know, he needs that encouragement and a little bit of fear involved. It helps him realize that this is not a good place for him to be,” he said.

But people say they’ll be keeping an eye out.

Ford said, “I’m concerned for its safety and people’s safety. You don’t want there to be an incident.”

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