Bears Make Rounds in Central Maryland Suburbs

There have been several bear sightings lately in central Maryland, the latest of which was reportedly in Baltimore County.

A black bear was seen in Randallstown on Friday night, according to WJZ.

The animal was reportedly tugging on a bird feeder.

The sighting marked the latest in a series of reports that residents have seen bears in the suburbs.

Last Wednesday, a bear was spotted near Waverly Woods Elementary School in Ellicott City, prompting a lockdown.

Sightings have also been reported in West Friendship and Woodstock, where a resident told Fox 45 that the 125 to 150-pound bear was traversing backyards.

During the last week of May, a bear was also seen in Harford County, near Aberdeen Proving Ground.

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Typically, Maryland's bear population is concentrated in Washington, Allegany, Frederick and Garrett counties, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and most stay within a 10 to 25-mile radius of where they live.

However, baby bears may roam up to 200 miles in a process called "dispersing" in which they try to find their own territory, according to natural resources officials.

After dispersing, young bears usually settle in places with established bear populations in western Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, according to the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service.

Black bear sightings in the state are most common in eastern Maryland in June and July.

Tips to live harmoniously with bears:

• Never feed bears or other wildlife (intentionally or unintentionally). Feeding black bears can seem fascinating and fun, but is a recipe for disaster. Feeding bears is illegal in the State of Maryland.
• Don’t leave bowls of pet food or water outside. If possible, keep all pet food indoors at all times.
• Keep garbage in sturdy, clean containers with tight fitting lids. (Bear-proof cans are recommended in areas where bear interactions become common.) Secure all trash cans and clean them regularly to minimize strong food odors as much as possible.
• Keep compost that contains food materials in enclosed bins away from your residence
• Keep bird feeders out of reach. Do not over fill bird feeders, and stop filling them prior to the month of April (It has been said that “In April, a bird feeder becomes a bear feeder”)
• Keep barbeque grills clean and secure
• Always walk your dogs on a leash
• Do not tolerate bears becoming comfortable around your yard – encourage them to leave by making loud noises, etc.

Patch Editor Deb Belt contributed.

Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.