Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials ended their hunt for the black bear about 9:30 a.m. in Rome.

“It’s not a life-threatening situation,” said Regional Supervisor Chuck Waters. “It’s just a bear that wandered into town. Our preference is that it find its own way back into the wild.’

Waters said the young bear, estimated at about 200 – 250 pounds, probably followed the river down from the mountains. About 4,000 black bears live in North Georgia, he said, but sightings are more common in places like Ellijay, Blairsville and Hiawassee. 

Bears move at night, and Waters said this one was probably spooked “when the world came alive with people and traffic.” 

It’s probably holed up somewhere quiet in the woods around Jackson Hill and will head out of the activity center tonight. Meanwhile, DNR state bear project leader Adam Hammond recommends people tighten their garbage can lids and bring their pet food inside. 

“They’re not aggressive animals. We’re not terribly worried about this,” he said with a smile. “Just don’t give him a reason to stay around.”

According to the DNR website there are no recorded bear attacks on humans in Georgia, and no fatalities. There have only been two documented fatal black bear attacks in the Southeastern United States.

Police have told reporters that the black bear sighted near the library and Ridge Ferry Park has fled into the woods near Jackson Hill. 

Police are still on the scene but officials are saying they're hoping the bear has gone back into the woods to stay.