Oh, Bother: Black Bear Spotted In Coventry Back Yard

COVENTRY, RI — For the second time in less than a month, a black bear has been spotted in Rhode Island. On Monday, the Coventry Public Works department posted a photo of a black bear in an employee's backyard, nicknamed "Bobo's Bear."

The photo, taken by the department's highway foreman, shows the bear lumbering along the edge of his backyard off of Hill Farm Road.

Another bear was spotted on Central Avenue in Johnston on April 29.

If you spot a bear in your neighborhood, contact the local police department or the Department of Environmental Management. Most importantly, never attempt to approach a bear. Instead, always give bears, and any wild animal, plenty of space and back away slowly if you see one nearby.

To avoid drawing bears to your backyard, the DEM recommends always securing trash in a closed container inside a shed or garage until pickup and avoid filling bird feeders from early April to November, as birdseed is high in protein and very attractive to bears. Grills should be kept clean to reduce food smells and never leave pet food out overnight.

More tips on bear safety are available on the DEM's website.

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