Black Bear Caught In Newtown After Foraging Through The 'Burbs

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A juvenile bear that had been wandering around parts of Upper Makefield and Newtown townships for the past week is now enjoying a more peaceful life in upper Berks County.

After a tour of the upscale Bucks County suburbs, he was caught by Pennsylvania Game Commission officials Friday afternoon at a home in the Newtown Grant development enjoying a meal of seeds below a backyard birdfeeder.

The capture took place around 2:30 p.m. on Juniper Court, according to Newtown Township Police Chief John Hearn.

"Our warden got a call that the bear was in the backyard of a residence," confirmed Dustin Stoner, the information and education supervisor the Pennsylvania Game Commission. "The wardens went in and they darted the bear."

Once the bear was incapacitated, game commission wardens loaded it up and took it to game lands in Upper Berks County where he'll enjoy a more relaxed life away from the hustle and bustle of the burbs.

According to Stoner, the male, 100-pound bear fit the description of a juvenile bear that had been seen wandering through local neighborhoods for the past week.

"It also fit the optics of what homeowners have been finding on their security cameras," he said.

Since its capture, Stoner said there have not been any additional bear sighting reports.

The first sighting was reported about a week ago when a black bear was captured on camera foraging through the area around Lurgan Road in Upper Makefield.

"Bears do reside in the township and need to be respected. No reason to fear, and we hope you enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer," wrote the Upper Makefield Police at the time.

On Thursday, Upper Makefield Police reported that the Pennsylvania Game Commission was in the area and "bear aware" after fielding numerous calls from residents.

On Friday morning, Newtown Township Police reported on Facebook that a juvenile black bear had been sighted just off of Washington Crossing Road in the township.

Anyone who has an issue with wildlife is encouraged to call the Pennsylvania Game Commission's hotline: 1-833-PGC-WILD.