Bear Sighting: 2 Black Bears Spotted At Intersection In Westchester

NORTH SALEM, NY — Although officials are warning neighbors about a recent bear sighting in the area, they are also reminding the community that bears belong here too.

In a social media post on Thursday evening, North Salem Town Supervisor Warren Lucas said there have been sightings of two bears at the intersection of 116 and 121, on Old Salem Center Road. He said that the police are aware and asked residents to be cautious. Lucas added that the bears were not bothering anyone at this point.

Authorities recommend that residents do not approach or interfere with bears. They also advise removing all bear attractants, like food. Children and pets should be closely monitored.

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"A bear is nothing more than a large raccoon," Tom Koepf of the Department of Environmental Conservation told WABC-TV in 2015. "If there's food out they're going to eat it, they're just scavengers."

The best way to keep bears from entering a yard is to remove any sort of food, public safety officials say. Even bird feeders should be removed by April 1, according to NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recommendations. Garbage cans should be emptied frequently and kept clean. Compost piles should be moved as far away from houses as possible. Grills with leftover grease can also attract bears, officials warned.

The NYS DEC advises that bears will only be encouraged to leave an area unless the bear creates a public disturbance, acts aggressively towards people or pets, attempts to enter homes or is injured and cannot move freely to escape.

SEE ALSO:

• Black Bear Sightings Reported: Town Of Bedford Police Issues Alert
• See Video Of Black Bear Roaming Around Yonkers
• Black Bear And Cub Spotted In Westchester Park, Pic Released
• Yonkers Bear Sightings Have Neighbors On Edge: Police Release Photo
• Large Black Bear Sighting Reported: New Castle Police Issue Alert
• Bear Sighting Reported: New Castle Police Issue Alert
• Lewisboro Police Warn About Bears
• Police Issue Advisory About Bear Sighting In New Castle
• New Castle Police Issue Bear Advisory