The security cameras at the Smethport Area Elementary School
have picked up a late night intruder on the property, but the
administration can’t “bear” to prosecute him.
The large, black, furry creature seems more interested in the
garbage left behind than in sticking around for an education.
“The only time they have seen the bear around is in the very
late evening hours or early morning, before 5 a.m.,” explained Sue
Jordan, district business manager.
“We are in contact with the Game Commission,” she added.
“Apparently there has been a problem down in the parks as
well.”
Hungry bruins venture out of the nearby woods and follow the
scent of the Dumpsters for some midnight munchies – but they leave
behind a bit of a mess.
“We haven’t seen him at all during the day,” Jordan said. It is
a wild animal and its behavior cannot be predicted with any
certainty.
“(The bear) has not been spotted during the daytime on school
property,” Jordan reiterated, saying the district did not want to
alarm anyone, but did want parents to keep watch.
“Parents should be aware of the situation and should be cautious
about it,” she explained. Today is the last day of school in the
Smethport Area School District, but students may be at the school
for activities during the summer months.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has produced a manual called
“Living with Bears.”
From that manual, here are some suggestions for what to do when
coming upon a bear. But remember, every situation is different with
respect to the bear, the terrain, the people and their
activity.
* Stay calm. If you see a bear and it hasn’t seen you, leave the
area calmly. While moving away, talk to help the bear discover your
presence.
* Get back. If you have a close encounter, back away slowly
while facing a bear. Avoid direct eye contact, which a bear may
perceive as a threat. Give the bear plenty of room to escape.
* Don’t climb or run. Never climb a tree to escape because sows
chase their cubs up trees when they detect danger. If you climb a
tree, a sow may interpret that as an attempt to get her cubs. Stay
on the ground and don’t run or make any sudden movements. Running
may prompt the bear to give chase, and you can’t outrun a bear.
* Pay attention. Bears will use all of their senses to figure
out what you are. If they recognize you as a person, some may stand
upright or move closer in their efforts to detect odors in the air
currents. Don’t consider this a sign of aggression.
Once a bear identifies you, it will usually leave the area.
However, if the bear stays, it may pop its jaws as a warning sign
that it’s uncomfortable. That’s a sign for you to leave. Back away
and slowly leave the area. If you ignore the jaw popping warning,
some bears have been known to bluff charge to within a few feet. If
this occurs, wave your arms wildly and shout at the bear.
* Fight back. Black bear attacks in the eastern United States
are rare. However, they have occurred. If a bear attacks, fight
back. Bears have been driven away when people have fought back with
rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.
The Game Commission is responsible for managing, conserving and
protecting wildlife. If you have a nuisance bear problem, or have
been threatened by a bear, please contact the Game Commission.
