Bear captured at Magic Kingdom in Disney World after sighting in tree triggered closures

A black bear was safely captured at Disney World's Magic Kingdom Park in Florida on Monday, officials said. The adult, female bear was spotted in a tree, prompting several areas of the park to be closed.

The bear was captured Monday afternoon, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

"In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff have captured the animal," the commission said in a statement to CBS News.

The bear was being taken to "an area in or around the Ocala National Forest" northwest of Orlando, the commission said.

Earlier, park officials told CBS News they were reopening Adventureland, Frontierland and Liberty Square while biologists and law enforcement officers with the commission worked on capturing the bear.

The areas are the home of such attractions as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Swiss Family Treehouse and Tom Sawyer Island. The park opens to guests staying at 45 hotels at 8:30 a.m. and to the general public at 9.

The bear was likely in the theme park looking for food, the commission said. During fall, which starts on Saturday, bears look for food and eat up to 20,000 calories a day to pack on fat reserves for winter, according to the commission.

Officials urged people to never approach or feed a bear. "If you see a bear … give it space," the commission said.

In:
• Walt Disney World
• Bear
• Disney World

Alex Sundby

Alex Sundby is a senior editor for CBSNews.com

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