Wandering bear makes its way to Cecil County

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The  wandering  bear moved west over the weekend.

The Cecil County Sheriff’s Office reported the Bear was spotted near Route 213 and Ricketts Mill Road, south of Interstate 95. Deputies asked residents to  secure their trash and stay inside. On Sunday night, deputies reported the Bear was in Carpenter’s Point, aun unincorporated area along Chesapeake Bay south of North East, Md.

Last week, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife  confirmed reports of a bear sighting from residents in the Pike Creek area of northern New Castle County and in Newark.

The  bear was also  spotted in a parkland area on Thursday near the University of Delaware Laird Campus in Newark.

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Newark Police tracked the bear  which has been seen in the vicinity of Wilbur Street, Cleveland Avenue, the Pomeroy Trail and Creek Road by Papermill Road.  .

A city worker recorded a video of the animal that until now had not been photographed and at last report, the animal was headed toward the Pennsylvania line. A video of the bear was also posted in Cecil County

There were scattered reports of the animal checking out garbage cans in aeas around Pike Creek and Hockessin.

Black bear populations within our neighboring states of Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have expanded over the past several decades. As a result, we are not surprised to have a bear find its way into Delaware,” said Joe Rogerson, program manager for Species Conservation and Research, Division of Fish & Wildlife. “It wasn’t a question of if, but when it would happen.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the Division of Fish & Wildlife received several reports of a possible black bear sighting in northern New Castle County in the Pike Creek area. There have also been bear  sightings in nearby southern Chester County, PA.

A DNREC biologist went to two of the areas the bear was observed and was able to confirm the sightings via evidence of feeding and tracks left by the bear.

For residents and businesses  in the area where the bear has been seen, the Division of Fish & Wildlife advises taking the following precautions:

  •  Do not approach the animal,  attempt to touch it, feed it or shoot at it. Back away slowly – give it space. Go inside and wait for the bear to leave. Once inside,  contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife to report the sighting at 800-523-3336.
  •  Keep in mind, most bears fear people and will retreat when they see you.
  • Eliminate potential food sources that could attract the bear by cleaning or removing anything outdoors that may smell like food. This includes:
  •  Locking garbage in a secure trash container, or keeping it inside until the day of pick-up;
  • Rinsing trash containers with ammonia to eliminate food odors;
  • Temporarily discontinuing the use of backyard compost piles;
  • Storing cooking grills inside or keeping them clean of food residue; and
  • Temporarily removing birdfeeders ─ there are many wild food sources for birds during this time of year.
  • Those with animals should keep food indoors and make sure no food is left over if the animal is feed outdoors.
  • Corral animals close to buildings and outdoor lighting at night.
  • If you have electric fencing, make sure it’s turned on to protect chicken coops, livestock nursery pens, etc.
  • Promptly dispose of dead farm animals.

“This time of year, male bears are known to roam widely, but if given the opportunity, we will attempt to live-capture the bear and transport it to more suitable habitat out of state within the bear’s normal range,” said Wildlife Administrator Rob Hossler, Division of Fish & Wildlife. “Sightings from the general public will help us track its movements and enable us to respond accordingly. We ask anyone who sees the bear to report the encounter, including the specific location, by calling 800-523-3336.”

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