Bear Sightings Reported In Newtown And Northampton Townships

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Bear sightings have been reported Saturday morning in Northampton and Newtown townships.

The Northampton Township Police posted on Facebook that there have been "numerous sightings of a black bear" in the Richboro areas of Almshouse Road and Tanyard Road.

"If you see it, contact police and please do not approach it," the police department posted. "The Game Commission has been notified."

Just across the Neshaminy Creek in Newtown Township, a driver told Patch that he narrowly missed hitting a black bear Saturday morning as it ran across Swamp Road between Twining Bridge and Worthington Mill roads in the vicinity of the Sundown Boarding Stables.

The driver said the bear was crossing the road from the east to the west near the Wrightstown Township border.

Bear reports have been numerous this spring in Bucks County. The most recent was reported by Plumstead Township Police on June 18 in the area of Old Durham Road. The bear was attracted to grass seed that had been placed outside and consumed its meal before continuing on its way.

In early June, a juvenile bear caused a stir as it made its way south through Bucks County from near Peace Valley Park to Middletown Township. Along the way he was caught on social media visiting backyard dumpsters and bird feeders in Doylestown and Newtown.

"Anytime a black bear makes its way down into suburban Philadelphia, it's usually quite a time," said State Game Warden Jim Crown in early June. "It draws a lot of attention and social media posts."

Crown said it's pretty typical this time of year to get a young bear looking for territory down in the Bucks County, Philadelphia area. "They will go until they find a spot that's suitable for them to live,
has enough food resources, and they're not going to get pushed out by a bigger bear."

Here Are Some Tips To Keep In Mind

• Bears are attracted to “easy-to-obtain” such as garbage, human food, pet food, bird feed, fruits from trees/gardens, and livestock feed.
• Bears tend to return to areas where they are successful in finding food.
• If you have pets, keep them secured while they’re outside and look around your yard prior to letting them outside, especially at night.
• If you find a bear on your property, the best course of action is to leave it alone and report it to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
• Attempt to find the source that attracted the bear, and remove it to avoid further occurrences.
• If you happen to come face-to-face with a bear, stay calm and do not make any sudden movements.
• Alert the bear of your presence by making noise before it gets too close and is surprised.
• Slowly back away to give the bear more room to flee.