Bear Spotted Scampering Through Business Parking Lot In Forest Hill

FOREST HILL, MD — Residents were shocked to learn that a baby bear had been spotted in the Forest Hill area early Friday morning. The critter was caught on camera outside Ronnie's Beverage Warehouse.

"I just thought it was crazy. I knew they were in the area but I’ve never seen one close to this area especially,” Jeremy Abshire, general manager at Ronnie's Beverage Warehouse, told WMAR. "So, we saw the video on Facebook this morning and then decided to check our cameras and that was the one clip I was able to find on it."

Footage of the baby bear scampering across the parking lot can be seen on the business's Facebook page. They wrote that it appeared to be headed toward a nearby apartment complex.

"I know we have a lot of people living behind the store and a lot of kids, and a lot of pets, so, I just hope that everybody is safe and it's not invading any bodies homes or yards,” Megan Hunter, co-owner of Ronnie's Beverage Warehouse, told WMAR.

Brian Eyler, associate director of game management with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, confirmed that the DNR did receive a report about a bear in the Forest Hill area. He said that since it's breeding season for bears, younger male bears are being pushed out and trying to find a new home range.

The Maryland DNR reminds residents that if they encounter a bear, remain calm, do not panic and leave the area. Back away slowly and go inside to wait for the bear to leave the area. If a bear woofs, snaps its jaws, slaps the ground or brush or bluff charges, you are too close.

Bears are drawn to discarded food, so be sure and bear-proof trash cans and dumpsters, and wash them frequently. Remove bird feeders in the spring and summer, keep pet food inside, and keep grills and picnic tables clean.

Currently, Maryland has a breeding population of black bears in the four westernmost counties (Garrett, Allegany, Washington and Frederick). The department still receives reports of sightings in central and southern counties each year.