Bear Sightings at River Springs Middle Make for 'Beary' Scary 2 Hours

Date Added: May 03, 2018 11:01 am

Laura Williams
Office of Media Relations & Public Affairs  

BEAR SIGHTINGS KEEP STUDENTS CONFINED AT RIVER SPRINGS MIDDLE EARLY THURSDAY

Students at River Springs Middle School in Orange City were kept inside their classrooms today due to a potentially alarming situation: A mama bear and 3 cubs were spotted close by at the school located at 900 W. Ohio Ave. School officials, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the school resource deputy (SRD) were on high alert for about two hours Thursday morning as officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were called to assess the bears’ visit.

Fortunately, the bear family moved on shortly after 10 a.m. after foraging for food around the campus for about two hours, according to the FWC officer who arrived on scene.

The angst began about 8:05 a.m. when the bears were spotted not far from portable classrooms. Teachers were instructed to keep students inside to avoid alarming the middle schoolers.

Thankfully, the bears’ presence did not cause any serious problem and due to their healthy fear of humans, they moved on without harm to anyone on campus or themselves.

For more information about this incident, please contact FWC PIO Chad Weber at (352-414-8451.