Back in 2007 I predicted on this website that we would have bears in Gasport by the end of 2008, based on recent northward movements into locales that they previously did not inhabit (such as populated Monroe County). Well, I was a half-year off. WGRZ TV reports on a black bear that was in Hartland over the weekend...
A black bear that has been spotted throughout Western New York gave residents in the Town of Hartland quite a scare Saturday morning.
The Niagara County residents spotted the bear, estimated to be about a year old, wandering in a field across the street from their homes.
Many were unnerved by the sighting because they had never seen a bear in the area and were concerned about the safety of their animals and children. One resident, Scott Wolfe, called the Department of Environmental Conservation in hopes they would tranquilize and move the bear; but the DEC officers arrived and said the animal had a right to live whereever it chose.
The DEC said it has been tracking the bear and that it has moved from the Lancaster and Clarence areas to Lockport and now Hartland in about a week's time. They said the bear's mother most likely kicked it out of the den so that she could make way for new cubs.
They asked that residents not try to approach the bear, which they said is basically looking for a new place to call home. They said it may stay in northern Niagara County or possibly move on to Orleans or Monroe Counties.
In the meantime, they suggested that residents bring their animals and birdfeeders in at night, and they asked that no one leave food out for the bear.
Watch the video:
http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=67049&provider=gnews
