While not reporting, he enjoys long-distance running. The bears used to come at night and tear down all the bird feedersWe used to take the bird feeders out at night and put them up in the morning, but now, they are coming during the day too, said Angelo Della Ripa of Westfield. Local, state police arrest driver following vehicle pursuit on I-91 in Holyoke, Public File: gary.rivest@westernmassnews.com - (413) 846-0118. Several other people in the area spotted the bear, and sent us several pictures. "Big coyotes, foxes, rabbits, everything, I feel like we've had plenty of raccoons, possumsturkeys," Boucher said. Gary Drake took a chance and followed the bear to take some cell phone video. Easton is now the latest town in Massachusetts with a black bear roaming around. In Massachusetts, black bears have historically been at home mostly west of Worcester. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) going the way of California? Copyright 2022. A black bear was spotted on Deering Drive in Tewksbury. To gain a better understanding of movements and populations in eastern Massachusetts, MassWildlife only needs information on sowswith young bearsfrom locations in eastern Worcester County, Middlesex County, or anywhere near the I-495 corridor. Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Heres why rideshare drivers caravanned through Boston in protest, Four-year-old suffers critical injuries after falling from window in Dorchester, Dogged metal detector enthusiast finds womans lost wedding ring at NH beach, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. A bear was spotted Monday in a yard in Middleton, Massachusetts. There were no reported injuries to the homeowners or their pets, police said about the incident. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Black bears live and breed in Worcester County, northern Middlesex County, and west to the Berkshires. In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area. There have been several sightings across town, including the area of the Interstate 93 overpass on Saturday morning. We will use this information to improve this page. WESTFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Recent bear activity in western Massachusetts has many people concerned for their safety. Wildlife officials say many of the families in those . Bear takes stroll in Middleton, Massachusetts, yard Authorities believe the bear that was seen in Middleton on Monday is the same young black bear that has been spotted in nearby. Wattles said such encounters are not restricted to the Granite State. Jackson, New Hampshire, police are reminding residents to roll up their windows and lock their doors if they have food inside their car. (If you look closely, you can see a bear cub at the top of the tree.). A black bear was spotted in Woburn and in Wilmington. According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, black bears in the state have multiplied and expanded their territory eastward since the 1970s. Hancock Campground in Lincoln, New Hampshire, closed for two weeks due to increased bear activity. We have had several sightings of the bear in the Federal St, Concord St, & Woburn St area this morning. The couple is all smiles at the 2023 CLD Pre-Festival House gifting event, where the Vanderpump Rules star stunned in a Bluebella top and carried a PETA + JAIN bag, as she stocked up on products . Western Mass News (WGGB/WSHM). We are studying black bears in Massachusetts to estimate population size and distribution, and provide other information about bear movement and conflict with humans. Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my! Black bears live and breed in Worcester County, northern Middlesex County, and west to the Berkshires. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. We are studying black bears in Massachusetts to estimate population size and distribution, and provide other information about bear movement and conflict with humans. "I'm just glad we weren't out here walking the dog or something when he was coming around the corner, that wouldn't have ben fun," Boucher said. WOBURN, Mass. Black bears are becoming increasingly common in Massachusetts and are moving further to the east. "(It was) pretty startling, he was huge," said Drake. An African antelope escaped a zoo in Ludlow and is on the run in Mass. fbq('track', "PageView");}, Zucchini noodles star in summer pasta salad | News, Police search Charles River after report of someone jumping off Anderson Bridge Boston News, Weather, Sports, Students to perform Mama Mia! at North Middlesex Regional High School, Holyoke cleanup, Fresh Air Fund hosts sought, The Recorder A workhorse remembered: A celebration of former Congressman John, Norwood rides combined no-hitter to victory over Braintree Boston Herald. If you need assistance, please contact the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Mass Wildlife recommends eliminating any food that will attract bears and securing trash cans.\. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. MassWildlife said if you come across a bear, give it space. A black bear broke into a home in Hancock, New Hampshire. Updated: Jun 14, 2021 / 11:54 PM EDT. Over a dozen towns, mostly in Massachusetts and north of the city, have reported bear sightings. Rick is a Massachusetts native and graduated from Boston University. Most of the black bears come into the neighborhoods because of food sources that are available Rogers said. An injured black bear which had been struck by a car in Middleborough was found stranded on the median of Route 495 in Raynham. City officials, including Mayor Robert Sullivan, are urging locals to be aware of bears in the vicinity of their homes and take all necessary measures to prevent conflict with them. Please do not include personal or contact information. A black bear was spotted behind Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School in South Easton. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. A lock icon ( As fascinating as black bears are, on occasion they can cause problems for people. To research black bears in central and eastern Massachusetts, MassWildlife is asking residents to report sightings of cubs. The research involves fitting tracking collars on sows (female bears). Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Over a dozen towns, mostly in Massachusetts and north of the city, have reported bear sightings. A black bear broke into a home in Hancock, New Hampshire. Massachusetts residents have spotted more black bears than usual recently as more people spend time indoors during the pandemic. Welcome! A black bear was spotted in Woburn and in Wilmington. Boucher and his dad say they've seen all kinds of wildlife over the years at their home, but never anything like this before. Students to perform Mama Mia! at North, The Recorder A workhorse remembered: A celebration, Norwood rides combined no-hitter to victory over Braintree. Over a dozen towns, mostly in Massachusetts and north of the city, have reported bear sightings. Click on a bear if youre interested in learning more about a specific sighting. {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function() Instructions: To view the legend, click on the icon in the bottom left. Boucher said. The number of black bear sightings in the eastern part of Massachusetts is on the rise. Please note that it will take a few days for the map to update with your sighting. They recommend not letting bears get too comfortable. An injured black bear which had been struck by a car in Middleborough was found stranded on the median of Route 495 in Raynham. Learn more about black bears in Massachusetts, contact the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The details of the incident have been reported to NH Fish and Game. The animal was seen strolling in the backyard of a home on King Street. 'https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); For landlords, restaurants, & campgrounds, Protect your crops and orchards from black bears, contact the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Boucher says his mom got a Ring camera notification on her phone and wondered who was coming through their property at such an early hour. The mere presence of a bear in a populated area is not a public safety threat and the bear will leave the area on its own. The sightings happened near the intersection of Liberty Street and Second Avenue. The only thing that stops them during the day is my big dog and when he sees the dog, he runs away, Della Ripa added. These bears are now becoming a common sight in our area. - The black bear population is growing in Massachusetts and while they still can surprise people, MassWildlife said bears can survive and thrive in suburban areas. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Use these resources to learn about black bears and how Massachusetts residents can coexist with bears. If a bear is in a populated area, contact the Environmental Police Radio Room at 1 (800) 632-8075 or the nearest MassWildlife District Office to report the sighting and get advice. A black bear was seen climbing into a koi pond in Pepperell. Immediately get yourself to a safe location and contact the authorities," Brockton Animal Control Department said in a statement released Friday. Bears are increasingly moving into and raising their young in areas with higher human populations. This information will help managers make scientifically-informed decisions about managing black bears across the state. A black bear was seen wandering around Middleton, Massachusetts, on Wednesday, just over three weeks after other bear sightings occurred. FISHING IS OPEN AND SPRING TROUT STOCKING WILL CONTINUE. this summer, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Take your trash out the morning of pick-up day, not the night before, Make sure your trash is in the can and not on the sidewalk, Sprinkle ammonia on and double bag your trash to reduce odors, Avoid putting meat scraps, oily or greasy food, and sweets on your compost pile. Officials in Brockton, Massachusetts, are warning residents to be aware of black bears in the area after one was seen wandering in a backyard early Friday morning. (WLNE) - Residents in Bristol County, Massachusetts are being asked to stay vigilant after a bear was spotted in both Plainville and Attleboro. Black bear sightings were reported in at least three Massachusetts communities over the weekend, including an atypical sighting in the city of Lowell. The bear was captured on video around 4:30 a.m. near North Pearl Street and Healey Terrace, and was not seen interacting with any person or animal, according to the Brockton Animal Control Department. Stay up to date with everything Boston. A black bear was spotted wandering near King Street in Middleton, Massachusetts, on Monday. Description. A black bear was seen on Centre Street in Danvers and at Corbeil Park in West Peabody. . "You first look at the video, it looks like a panther or something because it's so slim and then you see it come out, and you're like, oh, that's a bear," Kyle Boucher recalled. Bear sightings aren't uncommon in Massachusetts, where Mass Wildlife estimates there are around 4,500 black bears across the state and that number is growing. Some bears, mostly young males and some breeding females, live in other eastern Massachusetts communities along Route 495, the division said. "It was quite the experience," Drake said. More information on dealing with bears can be found here and here. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife recently received reports of two bears breaking into homes in the southern Berkshires in western Massachusetts. Della Ripa has recently experienced several bear encounters on his property. Video of that bear in . The bears got into the homes through partially open windows. This is a good opportunity for interested citizens to contribute to wildlife conservation science! Moose are the largest members of the deer family in North America. But Easton is far from alone. Black bear sightings in Massachusetts this summer Thursday, June 23, 2022 An injured black bear which had been struck by a car in Middleborough was found stranded on the median of Route 495 in. 2023 Cox Media Group. Be aware and alert of your surroundings while utilizing wooded areas in town, the department wrote. ** Quick note, we are a research project so if for some reason you need assistance on how to deal with a bear in your backyard etc., you should contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife at 508-389-6300 or Environmental Police Dispatch at 800-632-8075. Wattles said it appears to be a single bear moving through the area. - The black bear population is growing in Massachusetts and while they still can surprise people, MassWildlife said bears can survive and thrive in suburban areas. Where bears have been seen in Mass. According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, black bears in the state have multiplied and expanded their territory eastward since the 1970s. Drake decided to remove his bird feeders to discourage Big Ben from coming back for more food. The Boucher family says they're just glad they weren't outside when their unexpected house guest decided to pay them a visit. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Please limit your input to 500 characters. The Hancock, N.H. Police Department on Monday said the agency had received a report of a large black bear breaking into a home on Old Dublin Road at around 1 a.m. Talk calmly to the animal and slowly back away. "He cut over my neighbor's house and I tried to sneak through the woods to get a better picture of him and he kinda stood up, looked at me and kinda backed off," Drake said. Bears can use relatively small patches of forest among all the development because they can take advantage of all the natural foods they find there, but also the human associated foods that those environments provide," Wattles said. Learn how to avoid conflicts by making sure your property and neighborhood are not attracting black bears. MassBears is a research project in collaboration with MassWildlife, the Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Amherst College, and University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The bear has now been named "Big Ben" by neighbors, after his many elusive appearances. Learn more about black bears in Massachusetts. This page is located more than 3 levels deep within a topic. Rogers explained how it is not uncommon to encounter black bears in the area, Anywhere outside of 495, you can consider bear country. By the 1990s, it was 1,000 bears and now, the estimated population is to be over 4,500 bears throughout this area of Massachusetts. "He was about 20, 30 feet away.". Police posted a photo Monday after the bear was spotted near Federal, Concord and Woburn streets. By recording locations every 45 minutes, they also provide important information about habitat use and movement. "As you see, it's a good size bear, especially in this neighborhood," Boucher's dad said. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Please limit your input to 500 characters. He said even though there has been a recent bear attack in Connecticut, black bears are not typically type of bear to attack you. t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. . To select which years sightings you would like to display, click on the icon in the bottom right. Boston 25 News facebook feed(Opens a new window), Boston 25 News twitter feed(Opens a new window), Boston 25 News youtube feed(Opens a new window), School administrators: Create a closings account, Police investigating large crime scene at home in Quincy, Caught on video: Snowboarder lucky to be alive after steep fall at Tuckerman Ravine in NH, Boy, 10, dies from injuries after fight at trampoline park, Calling all Kyles: City of Kyle looks to break world record, needs your help, DA: 15-year-old girl dies nearly one week after being struck by car in driveway in Middleton. Police are warning residents of Wilmington, Massachusetts, to be on the lookout for a bear that has been spotted in the area of the Interstate 93 overpass on Saturday morning. North Reading Police received reports around 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning that a bear was attacking chickens on Foley Drive. A black bear was spotted in Middleton Square in Middleton. Published: Oct. 24, 2022 at 1:43 PM PDT. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Black Bears in Massachusetts, is, Protect your bees and chickens from black bears. Recent bear activity in western Massachusetts has many people concerned for their safety. Bear sightings over the weekend. Please do not include personal or contact information. To research black bears in central and eastern Massachusetts, MassWildlife is asking residents to report sightings of cubs. WMAs ARE OPEN. Some page levels are currently hidden. All rights reserved. Police said on Facebook that they have received two reports of bear sightings in the area of Woburn Street between the I-93 overpass and Concord Street. It has been a very busy month for bear activity across the Bay State, as at least two black bears have broken into homes and ransacked kitchens, according to state wildlife officials. Please let us know how we can improve this page. A black bear was seen in a backyard in Boxford after being spotted several other times earlier that week. "(It was) pretty startling, he was huge," said Drake. A black bear was seen on Wentworth Avenue in Lowell. n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; MASSWILDLIFE OFFICES AND HATCHERIES ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. A black bear was seen on Centre Street in Danvers and at Corbeil Park in West Peabody. fbq('track', 'PageView');} Massachusetts is the third most densely . He then realized when there was furniture tossed around his garage something was off. Police departments and residents reported several bear sightings across the area, including one captured on video climbing a tree on Osgood Road in Charlton last week. But Easton is far from alone. Young bears and wandering males often find themselves east of Route 495. Plainville Police say this bear . Some page levels are currently hidden. Police departments and residents reported several bear sightings across the area in the past several days. Several residents in Chelmsford have reportedly seen a huge bear walking around their back yards. A black bear was seen in a backyard in Boxford after being spotted several other times earlier that week. School Closings; CBS News Boston: Free 24/7 News . You do not need to call us to give us the bears location, police added. All Rights Reserved. LOWELL, Mass. Nah. Print these tips and share them with friends and neighbors. As mentioned previously, please secure trash barrels and bring in birdfeeders. A black bear was seen climbing into a koi pond in Pepperell. The black bear can be seen coming down the steps in Boucher's family's backyard and walking past one of the home's security cameras as the animal continued on its way into Brockton. This is a good opportunity for interested citizens to contribute to wildlife conservation science! If you need assistance, please contact the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Massachusetts is Bear Country (from Massachusetts Wildlife Magazine) For homeowners and pet owners For landlords, restaurants, & campgrounds For hikers and campers Protect your bees and chickens from black bears Protect your crops and orchards from black bears Protect your livestock from black bears Printable Resources | "The bear walked down the hill and across the street into the woods," Susan Morrissey, who lives in the area, said. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. In 2019 . The bear population in Massachusetts is growing and bear sightings are expected to become more common in the next 10 years. n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; A black bear was spotted behind Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School in South Easton. A lock icon ( If you see a black bearwith cubs in eastern Massachusetts, emailMass.Wildlife@mass.govwith the sighting date anda detailed description of the location, withyour name and contact information. Our newest resident seems to like our Town and doesnt seem to want to leave, Wilmington Police tweeted, with a photo of the bear. s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script', Thank you for your website feedback! A biologist will connect with you for more details. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js'); All rights reserved, Black Bear Roams Around New Jersey Neighborhood, Walpole Issues Warning After Black Bear Caught on Camera, Couple's Bodies Found in Boston Storage Unit: What We Know, 15-Year-Old Girl Dies After Tragic Accident' in Middleton Driveway, In a Marathon, Anything Can Happen': A Boston Sweep for Kenya's Chebet, Obiri, Why Fans Say Trips to Disney World Are Now Incredibly Complicated' to Pull Off. Police in Wilmington, Massachusetts are issuing warnings after multiple calls of bear sightings in the town. There have been several recent bear sightings in the Merrimack Valley, including in Lowell, Tewksbury, Billerica and Wilmington. On Monday, Aug. 8, a black bear was Black bear sightings were reported in at least three Massachusetts communities over the weekend, including an atypical sighting in the city of Lowell. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Bear sightings in Sierra Madre have increased in recent years, and city officials say they want the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to change its approach to dealing with The bears got into the. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. The bear was captured on video Friday morning around 4:30 a.m. near North Pearl Street and Healey Terrace in Brockton, Massachusetts. if (typeof(window.bgmpGdpr) !== 'undefined' && !window.bgmpGdpr.isOptedOut()) { "Bears don't look at a calendar," said Marion Larson, chief of information and education at Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. The large animal roamed through yards, and one woman says it was staring through windows at her and her family. This information will help managers make scientifically-informed decisions about managing black bears across the state. CHICOPEE, Mass. Theyre busy right now, Dave Wattles, black bear and furbearer biologist with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, told the Herald on Tuesday. (WHDH) - Police are urging residents to take precautions amid a recent uptick in bear sightings in southeastern Massachusetts. MassWildlife black bear and furbear project leader Dave Wattles said despite a high level of development in the Worcester area, there are plenty of habitats to support bears. This is a wild animal, so you want to treat it with some sort of respect, Rogers added. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)} Your email address will not be published. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Please limit your input to 500 characters. Mass Wildlife says the best thing to do if there's a bear in your yard is to make a lot of noise and the bear will usually go away. We live in bear country, Rogers noted, Rogers told us how the bear population has grown over the years. Hey bear! If you see a bear on your property, the division says, check it for things that may attract bears, such as food or food waste. In Worcester County, MassWildlife has received reports in recent years of bears being active all winter. The bear population in Massachusetts has increased over the past 50 years, with the majority in western and central Massachusetts, but bears are also moving into the suburbs of Boston. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Bird feeders are literally baiting bears to come onto decks to find food..