Community Corner

Black Bear Seen Roaming in Bridgeville

Animal ate from a bird feeder over the weekend.

A young black bear was spotted in Bridgeville eating bird seed from a resident’s hanging feeder over the weekend.

The animal pushed in the patio screen of the Patterson Avenue home Saturday night, but Wildlife Conservation Officer Gary Fujak said it never posed any danger to the neighborhood’s residents.

“It’s not a threat to the local population at all,” Fujak said. “It’s just not a healthy location for the bear to be.”

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The state Game Commission set up a bear trap Sunday and placed bird seed inside to attract the animal. Fujak said the bear has not been seen since and may have moved on to find food elsewhere.

He said the bear is probably looking for an easy meal such as feeders or food left behind. Fujak said the animal will not bother pets and is likely frightened of humans.

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“They’re lazy and they’re fat and they can eat 24/7,” Fujak said. “If the food source is there, it will stay in the area. But it may also be continue to look for food.”

Another black bear recently was spotted swimming in Canonsburg Lake. Fujak did not know if this is the same bear, but said it is a possibility because they can travel up to 15 miles a day.

The black bear, which Fujak estimated is a year-and-a-half-old, probably was kicked out by its mother. The trap is an attempt to relocate it to a safer area where Fujak said it can live a “long and healthy bear life.”

He said leave the animal alone if it’s spotted in the area again.

“Most likely it will flee and run. Don’t disturb it,” Fujak said. “Most likely people in Allegheny County won't get a chance to see another one.”


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