Bear sightings in Fall River and Dartmouth could be the same animal. Here's what we know.

Dan Medeiros and Matthew Ferreira, The Herald News
·4 min read

Massachusetts Environmental Police have put out an APB — Avoid Pesky Bears — for a wild animal seen wandering through yards and wooded areas across the SouthCoast.

This weekend saw multiple bear sightings in Fall River and Dartmouth, with social media posts capturing the public’s attention and state, local and environmental police attempting to track the animal’s whereabouts.

“It is believed but not confirmed to be the same bear," stated Environmental Police. “No aggression was observed.”

Based on observations and typical habits, MEP released more information about the bear and its recent wanderings through the SouthCoast. Here’s what we know so far:

Dartmouth police posted this photo, reportedly from a home surveillance system in the area of Collins Corner Road, Monday morning, warning residents not to feed or approach the bear if encountered. The morning prior, Fall River police warned residents of a black bear spotted around the city's North End.
Dartmouth police posted this photo, reportedly from a home surveillance system in the area of Collins Corner Road, Monday morning, warning residents not to feed or approach the bear if encountered. The morning prior, Fall River police warned residents of a black bear spotted around the city's North End.

Seen in Fall River: A black bear has been sighted in the North End.

Dartmouth sighting: A black bear caught on camera near Copicut Reservoir.

Where and when has the bear been seen?

The first bear sighting was reported to MEP on Saturday afternoon in Freetown.

A report later that night saw the bear on a resident’s deck on Apple Creek Lane in Fall River, in the city’s far North End. The bear was also tracked to Dewey Street, Highland Avenue, Elsbree Street, and Winifred Way, all in the city’s North End.

Dartmouth police notified MEP of another bear sighting around 9:45 a.m. Monday at a home on Antonio Way in that town, off Collins Corner Road near the Copicut Reservoir. When MEP arrived on scene 15 minutes later, the bear had departed into a nearby wooded area.

Fall River police posted this photo of a black bear seen in the North End of the city Sunday.
Fall River police posted this photo of a black bear seen in the North End of the city Sunday.

What do we know about this bear?

MEP is not certain if it’s a male or female bear, but it is estimated to weigh 80 to 100 pounds.

According to MassWildlife, adult female black bears can range in weight from 100 to 400 pounds, with adult males from 130 to 600 pounds.

The bear has not attacked or threatened anyone, and it appears to be alone.

“It is believed that the bear was attracted to a bird feeder at two of these recent sightings,” MEP stated.

What's a bear doing in the SouthCoast?

MassWildlife says about 4,500 black bears live in Massachusetts, but they are not common to southeastern Massachusetts. They typically live and breed in the western part of the state — but their territory has been slowly expanding eastward in recent years.

While the sightings in Fall River and Dartmouth may seem distant from each other, they’re only 6 miles apart with the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve between them; a bear can easily travel many miles in a day, especially if it’s drawn by food.

While rare, black bear sightings have happened locally in recent memory. Taunton residents spotted a black bear cub in residential neighborhoods a few days ago, caught on house surveillance cameras. It was seen walking along sidewalks and driveways, roaming through property and looking in trash barrels. Last year, a black bear was seen on the median of Interstate 495 in Middleboro, and had to be euthanized after being struck by a car; other bear sightings in Brockton drew warnings to secure trash outdoors. And in 2021, a black bear nicknamed Boo Boo was seen in Attleboro, Taunton and as far east as Cape Cod.

Fall River police posted this photo of a black bear seen in the North End of the city Sunday.
Fall River police posted this photo of a black bear seen in the North End of the city Sunday.

What should you do to stay bear-safe?

  • If you see the bear, do not attempt to approach it. Call the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 800-632-8075. In the event of an emergency, dial 911.

  • Take down bird feeders, and don't leave pet food outdoors. Those are food sources for bears. According to the National Park Service, bears have an incredibly keen sense of smell and are able to detect food from several miles away.

  • Bears are wary of humans. If you see it, yell, clap, bang pots and pans, or make loud noises to frighten the bear — it will most likely leave, as well as any cubs that are with it.

  • Do not attempt to shoot the bear. 

  • Do not leave any small pets unattended outside.

  • Consider attaching bells or other noisemakers to your pet's collar if outside — if the bear is nearby, it may hear the unfamiliar noise and keep away.

  • Keep your trash barrels closed and secure.

  • If you keep any beehives or live chickens outside, secure them behind an electrified fence.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Bear sightings in Fall River and Dartmouth: What to know, safety tips