Residents in the southwest part of the city should be aware that black bears and mountain lions roam for food in residential neighborhoods this time of year, said Michael Seraphin, public information officer for the Division of Wildlife.

A large black bear has been spotted many times in the Ivywild neighorhood, scavenging for trash and napping in backyards. Aside from a few raids on trashcans, the bruin has been well behaved, residents say.

"It's not anything out of the ordinary for that part of Colorado Springs," Seraphin said "The bears come out of hibernation in April and they go back in by mid-November. This time of the year the bears eat more to fatten up for the winter."

Mountain lions tend to work their way down from higher elevations when the snow season begins. They follow the deer, which are foraging for food.

"If you see a mountain lion or a bear, slowly back away," Seraphin said. For more information, go to www.wildlife.state.co.us.