Black Bear Spotted In Coventry Neighborhood

COVENTRY, RI — A black bear was spotted in a Coventry neighborhood Monday, according to police.

The Coventry Police Department said the bear was seen near Wood Estates and Wisteria Drive. Police urged residents to keep their children and animals inside and to lock their doors.

The black bear sighting was the 10th reported in Rhode Island in 2022, according to the state Department of Environmental Management. Other sighting have been reported in Exeter, North Smithfield, Richmond, South Kingstown and West Warwick.

The Department of Environmental Management has encouraged residents to take steps to keep bears out of their yards by removing easy food sources.

Bears are generally shy, the department explained, avoiding interactions with humans for the most part. In the spring, however, they are more likely to seek out alternate food sources such as bird feeders or chicken coops until their usual food sources become more available.

Rhode Islanders are encouraged to take the following steps to keep themselves — and wildlife — safe.

• Remove bird feeders, and don't put them back up until at least November.
• Avoid feeding pets outside. If you do feed pets outside, bring dishes in at night.
• Store birdseed, livestock feed and garbage inside.
• Take garbage out for pickup the morning of collection, rather than the night before.
• Keep grills clean of grease. Avoid composting grease or meat scraps.
• Use an electric fence around chicken coops, rabbit hutches, beehives and livestock pens.
• Move livestock into a barn at night.

Most importantly, the department urged residents to never feed bears. Adult males generally weigh about 150 to 450 pounds, while females weigh from 100 to 250 pounds.

Read more about Rhode Island bear safety tips here.