A surprising visitor: Black bear caught on front porch camera at Fort Smith residence

A visitor to a front porch in Fianna Hills barely stayed long enough at the home to be caught on camera.

The furry black guest did not ring the doorbell or knock. This one bounded off into the neighborhood.

The bears are out there more and more as the weather warms outside. Bears are coming out of hibernation, and they may follow their noses to household trash without any regard for fences or traffic.

It is not the first report of a bear in Fort Smith, as one was spotted in a tree recently.

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The home of Jennifer and Jason Burr had not had a bear visit before Monday, May 16in Fianna Hills.

The bear population has been monitored by state wildlife experts in the River Valley.

The Burrs sent the video of the bear to Times Record this week. See the video on swtimes.com.

People are encouraged to keep trash in closed containers and avoid leaving out pet food where a bear might appear.

The Fort Smith Police Department’s Animal Control Division handles calls concerning the welfare of any bears in the city.  On specific concerns about wildlife, like the bear sighting in Fianna Hills animal wardens respond to all calls about animals, and work very closely with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission on the specific issue of animal wildlife, said Fort Smith spokeswoman Shari Cooper.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Bear caught on Fort Smith front porch camera