Watch: Black Bear Spotted Near New Paltz Home

NEW PALTZ, NY — Black bears are usually shy animals and try to avoid humans, but don't tell that to these New Paltz neighbors whose doorbell camera recorded a bear strolling dangerously close to their home. In a short clip posted on the Neighbors app, the animal strolls past the home around 2 a.m. Sunday.

This isn't the first time recently that a black bear has wandered onto a resident's property in the Hudson Valley. Another bear took a jaunt through a Wingdale neighbor's yard on the night of Dec. 27, hopping over and around patio furniture. In that case, the animal lingered for a while.

And on Thursday, another bear was recorded meandering past a Toyota sedan in Poughquag before disappearing into the darkness.

While black bears are usually found in the wilderness, they can be found in semi-rural environments, agricultural areas and occasionally in urban centers.

"Black bears are an important and natural component of New York's ecosystem," the state Department of Environmental Conservation writes on its website. "Whether you live or recreate in the bear country, please help maintain and protect the bear."

Officials warned residents to protect themselves and their property by refraining from feeding bears, as well as limiting things that attract them.

Ring, the owner of the Neighbors app, is a Patch advertiser. Patch received no compensation for this article.