Bear Spotted In Wilmington Over the Weekend Remains In Town: Police

WILMINGTON, MA —The Wilmington Police Department said Monday that the bear spotted in town over the weekend remains in the area.

According to the WPD, there were several sightings of the bear Monday morning in Wilmington, in the area of Federal Street, Concord Street and Woburn Street.

On Saturday, police reported the bear had been seen in the area of Woburn Street, between the Interstate 93 overpass and Concord Street.

At that time, police warned residents that "under no circumstances should you approach the bear should you see it."

On Monday, WPD said residents do not need to report seeing the bear to the police.

"As mentioned previously, please secure trash barrels and bring in birdfeeders," the WPD wrote on social media. "Like any other wild animal, we are not going to intervene unless the bear poses a hazard to humans or pets."

Wilmington borders Massachusetts' expanding bear range, according to the state's Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The Massachusetts black bear population has been increasing since the 1970s, and is estimated at over 4,500, including in northern Middlesex County.