Black Bear Spotted In West Goshen Area Over The Weekend

WEST GOSHEN, PA — Officials in the West Goshen area searching for a black bear they said was spotted in several parts of town over the weekend.

Black bears are native to Pennsylvania and Chester County is part of their original habitat. While sightings are rare, they mainly become problematic in highly residential areas, which can sometimes lead to "problem" behavior from the bear.

The bear was first seen on the 300 block of South Five Points Road at around 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 13.

It headed west toward Amelia Drive and was eventually seen entering the wooded area south of Rolling Green Memorial Park.

Officers followed the bear but eventually lost sight. A reverse 911 call was made to around 600 residents nearby to keep them of the situation, police said.

The bear reappeared overnight at around 4 a.m. on Sunday morning, wandering near the police station and eventually again vanishing off N. Five Points Road.

Pennsylvania Game Commission officers have been alerted and are attempting to capture the bear, police said.

The National Park Service offers the following tips for what to do if you see a black bear:

• Remain watchful.
• Do not approach it.
• Do not allow the bear to approach you.
• If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) you are too close.
• Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same.
• If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting:
• Change your direction.
• If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground.
• If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it.
• Act aggressively to intimidate the bear.