Skip to Content

Getting Answers: uptick in recent bear sightings

By Ryan Trowbridge

Click here for updates on this story

    CHICOPEE, Massachusetts (WGGB, WSHM-LD) — Western Mass News has heard from viewers who are concerned about a recent uptick in black bear sightings around their homes.

Across social media, area residents are expressing their concerns after seeing large bears in their yards. Some said their pets had some pretty close encounters with them. Suzanne Westscott of Chicopee is concerned for her safety. She goes down to the river very early in the morning and worries she might run into a bear.

Marion Larson is with the Massachusetts Division of Fishery and Wildlife. She said they always see an increase in bears during this time of year.

Western Mass News has heard from viewers who are concerned about a recent uptick in black bear sightings around their homes.

Across social media, area residents are expressing their concerns after seeing large bears in their yards. Some said their pets had some pretty close encounters with them. Suzanne Westscott of Chicopee is concerned for her safety. She goes down to the river very early in the morning and worries she might run into a bear.

Marion Larson is with the Massachusetts Division of Fishery and Wildlife. She said they always see an increase in bears during this time of year.

Larson told Western Mass News that these bears are looking for one thing: food. She said the best way to keep bears away from your home is to remove the food source. For example, make sure your trash is covered or wait to put it outside until the morning of pickup day. Also, bird feeders may be pretty, but Larson said to keep them inside during this time of year if you don’t want any furry visitors.

If you do encounter a bear, Larson said to remain calm and don’t run because you might trigger them to chase you.

“What to do is make yourself real big as you can, and scream a lot,” Westcott noted.

Larson added, “Turning and running is never a good idea no matter what the animal is because it creates a chase response.”

“They are more afraid of us than we are of them,” said Charles Masse of Springfield.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KTVZ NewsChannel 21 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content