Bear Sightings Reported In Upper Bucks County

PERKASIE, PA — Have you seen the bear?

Around 8:20 p.m. Tuesday, the Perkasie Borough Police Department began fielding reports of black bear sightings.

The first was for two bears in the area of Ridge Road, but subsequent sightings described one bear moving through the borough, with the last sighting at Callowhill Street near 3rd Street in the direction of a creek.

Police continued to check the area until after dark with no results, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission has been notified.

On Wednesday morning, Perkasie police responded to Ridge Road near Branch Valley Fish and Game for a small bear that fled after being struck by a moving vehicle. The Commission was again notified.

If you observe a bear, do not approach the bear, attempt to feed the bear or harass the bear, police said.

Pennsylvania's bear population has been increasing for decades, and at the same time, many people have moved into the areas where bears reside. As a result, bears and people are coming into contact more than ever, according to the Commission. A population estimate in 2015 showed about 20,000 bears living in the state.

One of the best ways to keep bears from being attracted to your home is to keep them from finding food there, so don't put out your trash until the morning of collection day and be sure garbage cans are cleaned regularly with hot water and chlorine bleach. If you feed birds during summer, you may want to bring all bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders, in at night.

While bear attacks are extremely rare, the Game Commission offers the following suggestions if you do encounter one:

• 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.
• 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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