A day after a pair of bear cubs was spotted right along a walking trail at Bridgeport City Park near Virginia Avenue, there was nothing new to report today. According to Parks and Recreation Director  Don Burton all was quiet as of early this afternoon.

 

“I was able to talk with Steve Rauch with the (Division of Natural Resources’ Farmington office) and he told me that this is not an unusual situation,” said Burton. “He said typically the mother bear will be taking her cubs elsewhere because of all of the activities going on around City Park.”

 

For Rauch, the encounters this time of year are not unusual. He said he’s taken a look at the photo and is certain the cubs are relatively young.

 

“Those are this year’s cub. The mother would have been very close to that area at the time that picture was taken and would have just, in probably the last couple of weeks, started venturing out away from her cubs,” said Rauch, a district wildlife biologist. “I would suspect that even though (the mother is) used to being around people in that section of the city, I would also suspect that with the amount of public use there that she’s done what she can to get them into an area not nearly as busy.”

 

Along with contacting Rauch, Burton also said he was in contact with Bridgeport Police Department Prevention Resource Officer Jamie Hamrick about the cub sightings due to the fact that students utilize the Bridgeport City Park parking lot for their vehicles. Burton said the administration was made aware of the situation early this morning and there were no incidents reported.

 

“As far as what people should do is to simply avoid them. Don’t try to chase them and definitely don’t try to pick them up,” said Rauch. “In nearly every situation where there is an encounter with people, she’ll put them up a tree and then come back later to get them.”

 

Last year, a woman was reportedly attacked in June in the Mayfield Road area of Morgantown. Rauch, however, said it was eventually determined to be a “close encounter” as opposed to an actual attack.

 

“We’re pretty sure the person in question came into way too close of a proximity to the bear. It wasn’t a predatory attack,” said Rauch.

 

As for where the bear and her cubs will eventually end up, Rauch said that’s always an unknown. However, he said there are ways to help avoid the group from staying in the area.

 

“I would say they’re going to move out of there. I know where the park is but I’m not certain about the exact location and what it offers. Even without knowing that, I would still suspect that she would move them away from there,” Rauch said. “The one important thing people need to remember is to keep trash picked up at the parks and if they feed their pets outdoors, even bird feeders, if those areas aren’t cleaned it may attract her to come and get what are essentially handouts.

 

“That’s where a lot of problems come from,” he continued. “When that happens, the bears become habituated to people.”

 

Individuals that spot cubs or a bear should call 911. The DNR can be contacted at 304-825-6787.

Click HERE for yesterday's story.

 

Editor's Note: Photo provided by Bridgeport Parks and Recreation.