Black bear spotted walking all over Taunton, caught on camera by many surprised residents

Daniel Schemer, The Taunton Daily Gazette
·2 min read

TAUNTON — Residents of Taunton woke up to an unexpected discovery Thursday morning: a black bear cub roaming the streets and neighborhoods.

All over social media, residents reported the cub walking down neighborhoods like Pine Street, Danforth Street, Hope Street, Crane Avenue and nearby Morton Hospital and the Industrial Park.

Deb Moore told the Taunton Daily Gazette her home surveillance camera caught the surprise visitor coming up her driveway on Hope Street.

“We have owned the house for four generations [and] no bears before,” Moore said.

Diane Sullivan posted on the "I Live in Taunton MA" Facebook page:  “A small black bear just crossed the street by 863 crane Ave the road by Industrial park by cranes landing condominium I called animal control but just know he is in the area.”

This surveillance photo capture caught a black bear cub walking up the driveway of the home of Deb Moore on Hope Street in Taunton on the morning of May 18, 2023.
This surveillance photo capture caught a black bear cub walking up the driveway of the home of Deb Moore on Hope Street in Taunton on the morning of May 18, 2023.
This surveillance photo capture caught a black bear cub walking up the driveway of the home of Deb Moore on Hope Street in Taunton on the morning of May 18, 2023.
This surveillance photo capture caught a black bear cub walking up the driveway of the home of Deb Moore on Hope Street in Taunton on the morning of May 18, 2023.

Multiple residents posted they had called the Taunton Police Department and Animal Control.

Taunton Police said on social media if residents spot a bear they should contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife 508-389-6300, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or the Mass Environmental Police 800-632-8075 around-the-clockl.

Several residents on I Live in Taunton, MA reported seeing Massachusetts Environmental Police in their neighborhoods.

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This surveillance photo capture caught a black bear roaming the property of Roy Cardoso on Hope Street in Taunton on May 18, 2023.
This surveillance photo capture caught a black bear roaming the property of Roy Cardoso on Hope Street in Taunton on May 18, 2023.
This surveillance photo capture caught a black bear roaming the property of Roy Cardoso on Hope Street in Taunton on May 18, 2023.
This surveillance photo capture caught a black bear roaming the property of Roy Cardoso on Hope Street in Taunton on May 18, 2023.

Where are black bears found in Massachusetts? Are they moving east?

According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, black bears typically live and breed in Worcester County, northern Middlesex County, and west to the Berkshires, but their territory "is growing and expanding eastward."

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How to prevent visits from bears in your yard

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife advises residents to remove any outdoor sources of food that may attract bears. Removing bird feeders is a recommendation. With trash, secure it in closed receptacles and don't put trash out until the morning of pick up. Sprinkling some ammonia on the bags helps mask odors. Other recommendations include feeding your pets indoors and making sure to clean your barbeques and grills after each use.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton residents get surprise visit from black bear cub