A viewer has shared video with sister station WCVB showing a bear walking through their front yard in Massachusetts.The video from the viewer’s Ring home security camera shows what appears to be a black bear casually strolling from one side of the front lawn, across the driveway and to the other side of the yard.The viewer, who lives in Walpole, said the bear made its way through at about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday.Walpole police said the area where the bear was spotted is not far from the Johnson Middle School.According to police, black bears are not totally unique to the area but their numbers and distribution have been increasing since the 1970s. The statewide population of bears is estimated to be over 4,500 and growing, and it is expanding eastward.Bears that have become accustomed to human-associated foods, such as bird seed, trash and pet food, are likely to cause damage and become a nuisance, police said.”Removal of food sources and other attractants is key to preventing problems with bears,” Walpole police said.People who live in an area with bears should not set out bird feeders and should store all garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding. In addition, trash barrels should be put out the morning of trash pickup and not the previous evening.Any Walpole residents who spot a bear should call local police at 508-668-1212 or the Massachusetts Environmental Police department at 800-632-8075.
A viewer has shared video with sister station WCVB showing a bear walking through their front yard in Massachusetts.
The video from the viewer’s Ring home security camera shows what appears to be a black bear casually strolling from one side of the front lawn, across the driveway and to the other side of the yard.
The viewer, who lives in Walpole, said the bear made its way through at about 10:40 p.m. Tuesday.
Walpole police said the area where the bear was spotted is not far from the Johnson Middle School.
According to police, black bears are not totally unique to the area but their numbers and distribution have been increasing since the 1970s. The statewide population of bears is estimated to be over 4,500 and growing, and it is expanding eastward.
Bears that have become accustomed to human-associated foods, such as bird seed, trash and pet food, are likely to cause damage and become a nuisance, police said.
“Removal of food sources and other attractants is key to preventing problems with bears,” Walpole police said.
People who live in an area with bears should not set out bird feeders and should store all garbage in closed containers in a garage or outbuilding. In addition, trash barrels should be put out the morning of trash pickup and not the previous evening.
Any Walpole residents who spot a bear should call local police at 508-668-1212 or the Massachusetts Environmental Police department at 800-632-8075.
