VICKSBURG, Miss. (WJTV) – A black bear was spotted in downtown Vicksburg early Wednesday morning.

Vicksburg police said the bear was in a tree outside the old courthouse. If anyone sees the bear, police said you should not attempt to approach or feed the bear.

“For your safety, and the safety of your pets, please avoid the area. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has been notified. They have advised us to leave the bear alone and allow it to leave the area on its own, without human interaction,” Vicksburg Police Chief Penny Jones said.

Vicksburg police circulated the area on Wednesday to inform pedestrians of the situation. Neighbors are encouraged to stay indoors if they’re near the downtown area and ensure their pets are secure.

MDWFP encourages citizens to adopt a few simple practices that will minimize human-bear conflict from occurring:

• Never feed or approach bears
• Remove or secure any items around your house that may attract bears such as trash, grills/smokers, bird feeders, pet food, etc.

Once common in Mississippi, black bears nearly disappeared from the state in the early 1900s. While the exact population in Mississippi is unknown, it is thought to have increased over the last 25 years.