Rolla, Missouri Denny’s Has Close Encounter with Black Bear

If you've gone out for a bite to eat in Rolla, Missouri lately, you've been joined by an unexpected apex predator. Officials confirm that a black bear has been spotted near this restaurant in Rolla just days ago.

I saw this alert from the Phelps County Central Communications Facebook page which sure is an attention-getter. It's a status update alerting everyone in Rolla of a black bear sighting in a most unusual place.

This is the view of 1419 Martin Springs Drive in Rolla, Missouri.

While black bears are native in Missouri according to the Department of Conservation, they're not normally spotted in towns near busy population centers. However, bears constantly seek food sources and once they become aware of a reliable spot, they'll come back time and again. That's why anyone in Missouri that lives in bear country should never leave food sources outside and that includes bird feeders. You really can't blame the main drag in Rolla for having restaurants, though. The fact that a black bear is braving a busy road in Rolla is concerning with the possibility that you're dealing with a very hungry animal. Bears normally avoid human contact, but can be dangerous if they are a mother with cubs and/or they're starving. You don't want a bear in a crisis near you. Let's hope this big predator can safely find his or her way back into the wild to do bear things where it's safe for the humans and the bears.