Bear spotted by Forest Lakes couplePHOENIX (CBS5) -
A Forest Lakes couple got an unexpected visitor Saturday morning when they spotted a large black bear in their backyard.
Sue and Buster Bradley had heard about the recent bear attacks, but they never expected to see a bear wander through their neighborhood in Forest Lakes just outside of Payson.
"I just couldn't believe that it was a bear that close to the house," Buster Bradley said. "He was on all four's at the time and he'd come up to the porch, then turned away, walked to the walkway and driveway and headed on to the next door neighbor's house."
The Bradleys said the crimson-colored bear never tried to enter the house or their neighbors' place. He simply walked around their yards and then wandered back into the woods, but not before the couple could take a few pictures.
In the past month, wildlife officials have responded to three bear attacks and several bear sightings in the area around Payson.
Wildlife officials said the dry conditions and lack of food in the forest has been drawing the bears into neighborhoods that they normally would avoid.
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