Black bears have been spotted in and around Concord
Black bears have been sighted in towns northwest of Boston, police said, and officials are now providing tips for what residents can do if they run into one.
People have reported seeing black bears in the Acton, Sudbury, and Concord region, Concord police said in a statement. One small bear was spotted near the West Concord/Acton town line Friday.
The No. 1 tip if you spot a bear around town? Leave it alone.
“Do not try to follow or track the bear,” police said in the statement. “Pursuit not only stresses the animal, but adds the risk of having a bear chased out into traffic or a group of bystanders.”
Concord Police Chief Joseph O’Connor said the sole presence of a bear “is not a threat to public safety and should not be the cause of major alarm. If you see the animal in town, remain calm and immediately contact police.”
If the bear encroaches in your yard, make your best effort to scare it away by making noise. Bang pots and pans, shout, or use an air horn, according to police.
To avoid attracting a bear in the first place, avoid filling easily accessible bird feeders.
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