“New friend in our neighborhood,” Ring camera captures bear’s visit

BERNARDSTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A 22News viewer captured a bear on camera in Bernardston.

Jeff & Sarah from Bernardston said, “We had a new friend in our neighborhood stop by this morning.”

The footage captured from a Ring device on Wednesday shows a bear approaching a trash barrel outside a home and nudging it before stepping away and posing for the camera. It then turns around to sniff the trash again before knocking the barrel over with its foot.

Bears are omnivores, which means that they eat both vegetation and meat. In the summertime, they take advantage of ripening berries and can often be found in thick regenerating forest stands where berries are often found. Bears also eat grubs and insects, dead animals, and occasionally young deer.

Black bears are black overall with a brown muzzle and sometimes a white chest patch, with large feet that are well-padded, with moderate-sized, curved claws.

According to the National Park Service , if you see a bear you should do the following:

• Remain watchful
• Do not approach it
• Do not allow the bear to approach you
• If the bear is at a distance, feeding or walking by, and notices you but continues its natural behavior, no action is needed on your part. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear.
• 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 you can safely take a photo or video of wildlife, email us at reportit@wwlp.com !

Latest Local News Headlines

Massachusetts Powerball ticket worth $1 million claimed three weeks before expiring

Trader Joe’s has a bunch of new products this month

MINISO in the Holyoke Mall celebrates its grand opening

FAQ: Why Puffer’s Pond in Amherst is closed due to high levels of E. coli bacteria

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP.