Photos: A black bear visits Valdez Senior Center

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A young female black bear pokes around the Valdez Senior Center Monday, July 16, 2018. (Katie Carr / Valdez Senior Center)

A black bear hanging out at the Valdez Senior Center made itself available for some up-close photos Monday morning.

"She was out eating strawberries," said Katie Carr, activities coordinator for the senior center, who took the photos. The center has a strawberry patch, she said.

The black bear, which Carr said is recognizable by its markings, has been seen at the Valdez Senior Center a few times.

She's a young female black bear the center has nicknamed Missy, Carr said.

The bear hung out for about 45 minutes Monday morning, Carr said, at one point even putting her paw up to the door when Carr put her hand on the glass.

Black bears are spotted at the senior center frequently, Carr said, as it is situated at the base of a mountain and near Crooked Creek, a salmon-spawning area.

Carr said the bear seemed "a little too comfortable with us," though, so Carr left a message with Valdez animal control alerting them to the bear's presence.

As for the senior center's 18 residents, Carr said "everyone here is pretty bear aware" and that staff and residents all watch out for the animals, keeping each other informed of recent sightings.

Valdez city clerk Sheri Pierce said that bear sightings are common in the city. Last week, 35 reports of bears were filed with the Valdez police, according to a data map provided by the city.

"This time of year, generally we've got them roaming around town, and people just have to be mindful," Pierce said.

"They're just basically waiting for the fish to come in," Pierce said.

Pierce said the bears haven't been aggressive, but that the city reminds residents and visitors throughout the summer not to approach the bears, leave trash or dog food out, or feed the bears.

Pierce said salmon begin running in Valdez in late July and early August. At that point, the bears tend to leave town and head for the woods, she said.