BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — After a video appearing to show a black bear in some backyards circulated through a Blythewood Facebook group, neighbors are keeping their eyes out.
Larry Johnson, a Blythewood resident, recalls getting a video from his wife that seemingly shows a black bear walking through his neighbors', and then his backyard.
"First, I was shocked, like 'is this really a bear?' Then you're looking and it's like 'Oh crap, it's a bear.,'" Johnson said. "It kinda started midway through their backyard and casually came down the hill, right across our property line."
The video has made it's way through social media and has become a topic of discussion throughout Blythewood. Fredys Castro says he's hoping to see them with his own eyes.
"It's the first time I'd see one. Here in Blythewood? It's kinda weird, it's exciting," Castro said. "But I want to see it from the distance."
Castro's son, Simon, plans to be a little more cautious if he sees one. "The bear is like kind of scary to see in the woods, like if I see one, I might run away."
According to the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), black bears aren't permanent residents of the Midlands, and just travel through our area.
The agency says if you find yourself crossing paths with one, "Remain standing upright, avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak in a calm, assertive, assuring voice. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving arms, etc. Do not run from the bear or climb a tree."
The department also says not to feed the bears because, "A bear that becomes accustomed to having food provided is an accident waiting to happen; don’t feed a bear the first time and it will likely leave the area soon."
The sighting has some families on high alert, including Zach Christie who expects to see more the wildlife with new housing and developments being put in wildlife.
"Being honest, I carry, and I train. So, it's like, 'Hey look, I'm watching my kids if they're outside.' We're going to have property, we're going to have a fence, we're going to have different boundaries, but still, you have to be watchful."
That's the plan for Johnson, too.
"When we're sitting out, I'll have a flashlight or something out here just to stay alert because I'm sure if I'm sitting out and a bear comes, the fire pits lit, and my son's out, that's a lot to try to get the fire pit off, get him in the house, and not freak out if I see a bear."
For more information on bears in South Carolina from SCDNR, you can visit this website.