Vlack bear spotted in myrtle beach tree prompts police response

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — Police and wildlife officials responded early Sunday to reports of a small black bear seen in the heart of Myrtle Beach.

Officers with the Myrtle Beach Police Department were first called around 5:54 a.m. to 9th Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard after receiving a report of an adolescent black bear running through the area. A second call shortly after led officers to locate the bear up in a tree near Oak Street and 8th Avenue South.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department’s Animal Control unit is now working with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to safely relocate the bear from the urban area.

“For the safety of our community and the adolescent bear, officers have set up a perimeter around the scene,” the Myrtle Beach Police Department stated. “We are asking the public to keep their distance and let officers have space to work while we try to safely relocate the bear.”

Police have not reported any injuries or threats to the public as the relocation efforts continue.

Authorities have reminded residents and visitors to avoid the area while officers and wildlife experts work to bring the situation under control. The exact method of relocation has not been disclosed, but standard procedures typically involve tranquilizing and transporting the animal to a more suitable habitat.

Encounters with bears in coastal cities like Myrtle Beach are rare but not unprecedented, as bears occasionally wander into populated areas searching for food or after becoming disoriented.

No timeline has been given for when the bear will be removed from the scene. Officials continue to monitor the bear’s condition while ensuring the safety of both the animal and the surrounding community.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.