Black bear sightings have been abundant here in Montgomery County this spring, but a local resident was surprised to see this one on hanging out on their deck in Potomac (off of River Rd.) on Monday.
In recent weeks there have been black bear sightings from Germantown, to Darnestown, to Silver Spring and many places in between. Montgomery County isn’t alone, as Northern Virginia has also seen an increase in black bear sightings, in addition to states in Northern counties in Maryland where they’re even more common.
What precautions should you take and what should you do if you see one? Montgomery Parks shared the following earlier this season: “Black bear sightings have become a common occurrence in Montgomery County between May and July. During this time, solitary bears-often young males-are striking out on their own, sometimes traveling considerable distances in search of a suitable home range to call their own.
By the end of summer, most of these bears find their way to more desirable areas in the western part of Maryland. These sightings are exciting for most people but can be alarming for many citizens who are not expecting to see bears traveling through.
To minimize conflict, residents should take the following precautions:
– Remove bird feeders.
– Secure trash cans.
– Keep pet food inside.
– Eliminate any potential food sources.
Montgomery Parks Wildlife Staff is interested in recording black bear sightings at any time of year. If you see or encounter a bear in Montgomery County, please contact:
Remember to do your part to help keep bears and other wildlife wild! Learn more about living with bears and what to do if you encounter wildlife on the Montgomery Parks website.”