String Of Recent Black Bear Sightings Lead Village Police To Urge Caution

CROTON-ON-HUDSON, NY — Area ursine neighbors have been especially active in recent weeks, leading officials to urge caution.

The Village of Croton-on-Hudson Police Department says that it has been notified of several black bear sightings this week. The last report was on Cleveland Drive, near Gerstein St.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), black bears are "transient occupants of Westchester County," and their movement tends to increase this time of year as breeding season begins and young bears look to find their own spaces.

While black bears are usually not dangerous to humans, they may become so if they become conditioned to human presence, or feel threatened.

If you see a bear, do not approach it. If possible, remain indoors, or in a safe location, until it leaves the vicinity. Children and pets should be closely monitored.

If a bear is damaging property or does not leave the area, but the situation is not an emergency, call the DEC regional wildlife office during business hours at 845-256-3098.

If a bear presents an immediate danger to public safety, call 911.

"A bear is nothing more than a large raccoon," Tom Koepf of the Department of Environmental Conservation told WABC-TV in 2015. "If there's food out they're going to eat it, they're just scavengers."

The best way to keep bears from entering a yard is to remove any sort of food, public safety officials say. Even bird feeders should be removed by April 1, according to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recommendations. Garbage cans should be emptied frequently and kept clean. Compost piles should be moved as far away from houses as possible. Grills with leftover grease can also attract bears, officials warned.

The NYS DEC advises that bears will only be encouraged to leave an area unless the bear creates a public disturbance, acts aggressively towards people or pets, attempts to enter homes or is injured and cannot move freely to escape.

Find more information and resources, here.

SEE ALSO:

• Black Bear Roaming West Harrison Neighborhood Put Down By Police
• Video Of Bear Snacking At Westchester Bird Feeder Prompts Concerns
• After Recent Jump In Bear Sightings, Police Offer Tips And Resources
• Large Black Bear Sighting Reported: New Castle Police Issue Alert
• Mischievous Bear Cub Spotted In Westchester Village On The Hudson
• Bear Sighting: 2 Black Bears Spotted At Intersection In Westchester
• Bear Killed After Attacking Child In Yard Tests Negative For Rabies
• 7-Year-Old Suffered 'Non-Life-Threatening' Injuries In Bear Attack
• Rabid Bear Cub Found In Lewisboro: Westchester County Health Alert
• Black Bear Sightings Reported: Town Of Bedford Police Issues Alert
• See Video Of Black Bear Roaming Around Yonkers
• Black Bear And Cub Spotted In Westchester Park, Pic Released
• Yonkers Bear Sightings Have Neighbors On Edge: Police Release Photo
• Large Black Bear Sighting Reported: New Castle Police Issue Alert
• Bear Sighting Reported: New Castle Police Issue Alert
• Lewisboro Police Warn About Bears
• Police Issue Advisory About Bear Sighting In New Castle