A juvenile black bear was caught on camera Saturday night enjoying a meal from a resident’s trash can in Upper Makefield Township.
The sighting, which happened shortly before 9 p.m. in the 200 block of Thompson Mill Road, is the latest in a series of bear encounters reported in the area.
Upper Makefield Township police officials said they could not confirm if this was the same bear spotted in other nearby towns but emphasized there’s “no reason to panic.”
“We have had black bears on the mountain many times before, and they are a part of the wildlife here in Upper Makefield,” the department stated.
The police department, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission will continue to monitor the bear.
Residents who see the bear are encouraged to call the Upper Makefield Township Police Department to help track its movements.
A separate bear was captured by the game commission in Warminster Township on Saturday morning.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers the below tips if you encounter a bear:
Alert the bear — If you see a bear, make some noise to alert the bear of your presence, giving it ample time and space to turn and leave. Avoid being caught up in the excitement of seeing a bear and inadvertently letting the bear get too close before surprising it.
Get back — If you have a close encounter, back away slowly while facing the bear so you always know where the bear is and how its reacting. Wild bears rarely attack people. Slowly backing away diffuses the situation and gives the bear room to flee.
Stay calm — encountering a bear can be startling, but try to remain calm. While moving away, avoid sudden movements and talk to help the bear keep track of your retreat. Don’t turn and run or attempt to climb a tree. Running may prompt the bear to give chase, and climbing a tree could be interpreted as a threat to any cubs that are present since cubs often climb trees when startled. Move toward your camper, house or vehicle if nearby.
Pay attention — Bears will use all of their senses to figure out what you are. If they recognize you as a person, some may stand upright or move closer in their efforts to detect odors in the air currents. Don’t consider this a sign of aggression. Once a bear identifies you, it will usually leave. If it begins to slowly approach you, face the bear, wave your arms wildly and shout while continuing to back away. The idea is to intimidate the bear into retreating. Swing a stick, your backpack or whatever is handy if the bear gets close.
If suddenly surprised, some bears may feel threatened and give warning signs that they are uncomfortable. They may clack their jaws together or sway their head; those are signs for you to leave. Some bears have been known to charge to within a few feet when threatened. If this occurs, wave your arms wildly and shout at the bear.
Fight back — Black bear attacks are extremely rare. If a black bear attacks, fight back. Bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.
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