PLAINVILLE, Mass. (WPRI) — A black bear was spotted wandering through a Plainville neighborhood Tuesday morning.
The bear, believed to be a cub looking for its mom, was seen trekking down Messenger Street, according to Plainville Animal Control. It then made its way onto Landau Road, walking through residents’ yards, before disappearing into the woods.
The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife estimates that there are more than 4,500 black bears in the state. Black bears are commonly found in western Massachusetts, though the population is expanding eastward.
Black bears tend to be wary of humans, according to wildlife experts, and will avoid interaction if possible. Residents should never intentionally feed bears and are urged to remove food sources, such as bird feeders and trash, from their yards.
