Large Black Bear Sighting Reported: New Castle Police Issue Alert

NEW CASTLE, NY — Police are warning neighbors about a large black bear sighting in the area and are reminding the community that bears belong here too.

In a public advisory, police said a large black bear was spotted on Friday on the N. County Trailway in the area of Random Farms Dr. in the town Of New Castle. Bear sightings are not especially rare in the area, with about a half dozen reported sightings last summer/fall.

"The NYS Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) advises that bears will only be encouraged to leave the area unless the bear creates a public disturbance, acts aggressively towards a human or a pet, attempts to enter a home, or is injured and cannot move freely to escape," police officials said in the public alert. "If a bear creates any problem, the New Castle Police will respond and, if necessary, the NYDEC."

Officials also offered a few guidelines for avoiding conflict with the native black bears.

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 April 1, according to New York State 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.