Bear sighting at Mill Mountain Park in Roanoke

ROANOKE, Va. – PLAY Roanoke is warning Mill Mountain Park visitors to be vigilant after a bear sighting at the park Thursday.

Officials are asking visitors to carry out their trash at this time, including food waste like apple cores and orange peels, as the bear has gotten into trash cans at the park.

While it is unlikely, PLAY Roanoke is offering some safety tips if you ever encounter a bear:

• Do not run
• Remain calm
• Group together and pick up small children
• Continue to face the bear and back away slowly, talking calmly to identify yourself as a human
• If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making yourself as large and imposing as possible by stretching your arms overhead and making loud noises
• Carry and know how to use bear spray, which is available at many outdoor retailers and can be used to deter a charging bear

For more information on how to stay “bear aware,” click here.