- A black bear — possibly more than one — has been spotted recently in residential areas of Bethlehem Township
- The state Game Commission advises not to approach or entice a black bear
- Black bears typically are not aggressive toward humans unless provoked or feel threatened
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — If you notice a black bear snooping around your backyard or rummaging through your trash receptacle, do yourself a favor: Stay away.
If you spot one of these wild animals staring at you from across the street as it exits a wooded area, don’t tear off a hunk of your sandwich and offer it to the animal. Remain quiet and walk the other way.
Because while black bears are not typically aggressive toward humans unless provoked, there’s something you should know:
You just never know.
Photos and videos posted on social media show the beauty of black bears that recently have inhabited residential areas of Bethlehem Township.
Whether the bear sightings in the township involve more than one black bear has not been confirmed.
Several sightings of black bears have been reported over the past few days.
A video of a large black bear reaching for a bird feeder hanging from a tree in a back yard near Oakland Road and Easton Avenue in Bethlehem Township was posted on the Nancy Run Fire Company’s Facebook siteMonday afternoon.
"My customers were talking about the bear, but I never saw it. All I ever see are foxes."Bruno Scipioni, owner, Bruno Scipioni's Italian Ristorante and Pizzeria
The bear quickly romped away from the yard and into a nearby wooded area.
'My customers were talking about the bear'
Bruno Scipioni's Italian Ristorante & Pizzeria is adjacent to the property where the bear was seen swatting at the bird feeder.
"My customers were talking about the bear, but I never saw it," Scipioni said on Tuesday afternoon. "All I ever see are foxes."
"I'm just surprised he didn't go into my dumpsters. There'd be food we throw out, like pizza crusts and fat from the chicken. Food like that."Bruno Scipioni of Scipioni's Italian Ristorante & Pizzeria
A restaurant employee who lives across the street from the pizzeria told Scipioni he saw the bear on Monday.
"I'm just surprised he didn't go into my dumpsters," Scipioni said. "There'd be food we throw out, like pizza crusts and fat from the chicken. Food like that."
Earlier Monday, Bethlehem Township Police reported a black bear was seen at a parking lot at St. Luke’s Anderson Campus.
Of the estimated 750,000 black bears in North America, about 18,000 are in Pennsylvania, according to the state Game Commission website.
According to bearsmart.com, black bears in North America kill less than 1% of humans, on average.
However, in the event a person is confronted by a black bear, wildlife experts offer these suggestions:
- Try to escape to a secure place such as a car or building.
- Do not play dead. Try fighting back using any object available.
- Concentrate your kicks and blows on the bear’s face and muzzle.
- Make yourself look big, make loud noises, clap your hands and back away if possible.
