WORCESTER, MA — A young bear drew attention in Worcester after dispatchers received several reports of the animal moving around the city.
Worcester police said dispatch received multiple calls about the bear, which appeared to be a juvenile weighing about 120 pounds. Animal Control and Massachusetts Environmental Police responded to the reports.
Police told Patch that dispatch received calls from Massachusetts Avenue, Sagamore Road, and Grove Street.
Police did not immediately report any injuries or damage related to the bear.
This comes after a young black bear was seen wandering through busy parts of Shrewsbury last week. Shrewsbury fire and police, along with the Massachusetts Environmental Police, teamed up to safely relocate the animal.
The bear was eventually tranquilized on Walnut Street between Route 9 and Route 20 in Shrewsbury. He was loaded for transport with his body temperature kept cool with bags of ice.
Shrewsbury fire said the bear was transferred to a rural area, so it would not pose a risk to high-traffic areas.
Residents should secure trash cans and avoid putting bins out the night before pickup, remove bird feeders, clean grills, and avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and keep pets supervised and on a leash. Officials also advise residents to never approach, feed or corner a bear.
Police said that if you encounter the bear, stay calm, appear large, make noise, and slowly back away. Never run.
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