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Bear Sightings in Fulton Over Memorial Day Weekend

The Missouri Department of Conservation

Fulton residents are keeping watch for a bear first seen in town over Memorial Day Weekend.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says the two most recent sightings occurred between eight a.m. and noon on May 26, 2015.

The bear was in a residential neighborhood only blocks away from the original sighting.

Agent Bob Lyons of the Missouri Department of Conservation said residents should be alert, but not overly concerned.

“What we need people to do is basically leave the bear alone," Lyons said. "The Fulton Police Department and I am fully aware of the bear in town, and if people leave it alone it will eventually find its way out of town."

Missouri Department of Conservation Resource Scientist Jeff Beringer said it’s important to give the bear space if spotted.

“You don’t feed it. Give it some respect, give it some room and its going move on," Beringer said. "You don’t just want to chase it or some folks may try to feed it so they can take a picture and all that’s going to do is encourage the bear to hang around longer."

While bears are not typically found in this region of Missouri, Beringer also warns residents to avoid keeping items in their yard that may be attractive to bears. These include dog food, bird feeders and garbage.

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