No Bear Found After Several Searches In Radnor

Radnor officials said Friday that no bears have been spotted in parts of the township since Sept. 13 and several searches in the township did not lead to sighting the bear, according to the township website.

On Thursday between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., Radnor Township Animal Control and members of the United States Department of Agriculture searched several areas in the township for the bear using an infrared camera. Officials searched the area of Haymarket Lane, Ithan Elementary School, Sproul Road, the Academy of Notre Dame, Godfrey Road, Darby Paoli Road, Saw Mill Road, and Park, Skunk Hollow, The Willows, and Roundhill with negative results.

On Friday, Haverford Police Department assisted Radnor officials with a drone that was used to search the cornfield between Skunk Hollow and the Willows. No bear was seen.

Earlier Friday, Easttown Township Police reported a bear was seen on Highland Avenue and near the Devon train station, making that the third reported bear sighting in the Delaware and Chester county area this week. Pennsylvania Game Commission Officer Matthew Johnson said the sightings are likely the same bear who recently became independent from its mother and is roaming from area to area in search of food.

Radnor Police offered several tips to help keep bears away from property including:

• Keep your dog on a leash if a bear is active in your area.
• Turn on outside lights and make noise when walking pets after dark.
• Keep your pet in the house after dark.
• Don’t leave small pets outside unless you are present.
• Feed your pets inside. If you must feed them outside, remove their dish and clean up afterwards.
• Store food and other attractants in animal-proof containers with locking lids.

If a pet is attacked, police urge residents not to approach the bear. Police said the best options to stop an attack are making noise, or spraying a hose or throwing objects at the bear from a safe distance. Owners should gather their pet and leave the area after the bear has fled. Police said after calling a veterinarian, owners should immediately call the appropriate state wildlife agency.

Police said no one should approach a bear or wild animal and should call 911 immediately when encountering a wild animal.

The attached photo is a Patch file photo, not a photo of the actual bear spotted in Radnor or Easttown