ORO VALLEY, Ariz. (KVOA) – Arizona Game and Fish is currently tracking several bears in the Tucson area, including one that ventured into a Fry’s grocery store in Oro Valley on Monday morning.<\/p>\n
The bear, a cub, was seen darting past the registers and heading toward the produce section. Charlie Alolkoy, a wildlife photographer, captured video of the bear. Alolkoy said, “The produce department has honey cones you can buy – and he just walked past it.”<\/p>\n
Alolkoy, who has been photographing wildlife for decades, was surprised by the encounter. “Low and behold I get the biggest wildlife I’ve seen up to this point,” said Alolkoy. He mentioned that while bear sightings aren’t terribly unusual, occurring about once a year, seeing one in a store is rare.<\/p>\n
This incident follows another bear sighting just days earlier near Rancho Vistoso and Woodburn. Mark Freiberg with Arizona Game and Fish said it could be the same bear. “It is a little abnormal for this time of year,” Freiberg said.<\/p>\n
Freiberg explained that the drier than normal weather might be contributing to these back-to-back sightings. “What that typically equates to is less food resources on the ground for wildlife and bears specifically,” said Freiberg.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on the experience, Alolkoy said, “A bear has always been on my list wanting to see it – I would I would have gotten better photos.”<\/p>\n
Arizona Game and Fish emphasizes that these close encounters with bears serve as a reminder not to leave food out for wildlife. They caution against allowing animals like bears to associate food with humans.<\/p>\n