The Black Bear that has been roaming around the area this week is seen climbing over a backyard fence in New Bedford’s north end, in the area near Rock Funeral Home on Tuesday, 5/23/23. Photo courtesy of Noah Gomes
A Black Bear has been spotted roaming around from Taunton to New Bedford, including places in Acushnet and New Bedford. Although much of the state is accustomed to seeing Black Bears near urban areas, it is very rare in these parts and caused quite a stir.
State police, local police and Animal Control Officers, and Environmental Police all converged on areas where he was spotted, hoping to push him to more rural/ wooded sections and keep him out of back yards.
Alas, he seemed to have a penchant for bird feeders and ice cream and was elusive.
The little bugger reportedly got into a freezer in a garage in New Bedford and gobbled up the ice cream.
He was spotted in Dartmouth with a hummingbird feeder in his mouth, and in a variety of other places going after bird feeders.
Officials had no plans to harm, remove, or relocate the bear. They were monitoring him and hoping he would simply move along when he realized this isn’t the best place to settle down.
Facebook users had a fun time Photoshopping the bear with pizza (he was spotted near Pa Raffa’s in New Bedford), and in a variety of fun places.
The bear, estimated to be a two-year-old male, seemed to be moving east (that’s you Fairhaven), and the last sighting by press time, via Facebook, was Mattapoisett.
Officials say that this bear, and most Black Bears, are generally not aggressive, but should be treated with respect and caution. Do not approach it, back away slowly.
Do not let pets in yard unattended; remove bird feeders and any other source of food that might attract the bear to your yard.
Learn more about how to act if you encounter the bear at Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife: https://tinyurl.com/yvjrpybn or https://www.mass.gov/service-details/learn-about-black-bears
If you see the bear and are concerned, call the Environmental Police Radio Room at 1-800-632-8075 or the nearest MassWildlife District Office to report the sighting and get advice.
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