Black Bear Helps Itself to Bird Feeder, Visits Family's Home Just Beyond Harrison County, City of Bridgeport
By Jeff Toquinto on May 24, 2023
Jackie Herrera and her husband, who live just over the Harrison County line and Bridgeport City limits on Tappan Road in Taylor County, moved to West Virginia in December. Earlier this week, they got a visit from one of the Mountain State’s most known residents.
Just as Monday arrived, video from a doorbell camera showed a quick visit from a black bear. Actually, it is a visit from what appears to be a 
very large black bear.
very large black bear.
“It was kind of shocking to see,” said Herrera, who moved locally to be closer to their grandchildren. “There was a bird feeder on the floor, and I saw it thinking a raccoon may have gotten it, but then my husband said it was a bear.”
The video proved him correct.
Ironically, the footage of the bear is at a unique angle because Herrera said they had yet to install the doorbell camera and, although working, it was on the ground next to where the bird feeder ended up. The bird feeder, she said, is no longer around.
“I’m not sure what drew him here. We have 10 chickens in a coop that may have caused it and I know there was no garbage out. We keep the property clean,” she said. “Hopefully, it was a one-time visit, and we think it’s possible the searchlight came on and turned him away. There have been no signs since.”
Herrera said her husband provided the West Virginia DNR with information via email but has not heard anything back as of this morning. Bear sightings in West Virginia, including Bridgeport, happen annually.
Links to the video are below.
Bear Video I
Bear Video II
