Disney World Partially Shut Down After Rogue Bear Infiltrates the Park
Many of the animals at Florida's Walt Disney World are animatronic, meant to entertain guests on rides and as they walk throughout its parks. So when a wild black bear was spotted in a tree, a team of professionals sprang into action to protect both the animal's and the visitors' lives, shutting down part of the park in the process.
Black bears in Florida aren't a totally uncommon sight, but it's rare that a wild animal like that makes its way into the area filled with humans.
"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, are on scene," FWC said in a statement after the discovery was first made, per FOX 35 Orlando. "In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff are working on capturing and relocating the bear."
According to the My Disney Experience app, several popular attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, and Big Thunder Mountain were temporarily shut down as authorities worked to corral and capture the bear.
Finally, the FWC said its Bear Management Program biologists safely captured the adult female mammal. Disney World confirmed in a statement that it was continuing to work with the FWC as they worked to re-home the creature. "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," the statement said.
As for where the animal ended up, the FWC is taking her to a wooded area about 90 minutes away from the Walt Disney World Resort. "Staff have captured the animal and are relocating the bear out of the park to an area in or around the Ocala National Forest," FWC said, per NBC News.
Talk about "The Bear Necessities."
