BURRILLVILLE/NORTH SMITHFIELD – A black bear has been making its way through northern Rhode Island this week, with numerous sightings reported on Tuesday in both North Smithfield and Burrillville.
Buxton Street resident Scott Lentz of North Smithfield caught a bear on camera walking along a trail on his property Tuesday morning, in an area around 500 feet from Georgiana Avenue.
It is the second time this year North Smithfield residents have reported seeing a bear, with several posting photos last month of one traveling the area of Mendon Road, Elizabeth Avenue, and St. Paul Street in Blackstone.
A bear seen last month on Central Street in North Smithfield.
Lentz’s property is not far from the town’s border with Burrillville, and there, a black bear was photographed walking along Ironmine Road.
A black bear seen walking along Ironmine Road Tuesday.
Around noon on Tuesday, June 20, it was seen in a yard on Joslin Road before heading back into the woods.
Burrillville resident Gregg Devlin spotted the bear Tuesday evening on Sherman Farm Road, about a quarter mile from the bridge headed into downtown.
A black bear on Sherman Farm Road. Credit: Gregg Devlin
On Tuesday evening around 9:30 p.m. another North Smithfield resident caught a black bear on security footage, this time on Summit Avenue.
A black bear on Summit Avenue, North Smithfield Tuesday night.
Later in the week a bear was spotted in Johnston and a reader shared photos taken on Pine Hill Avenue.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management notes that black bears are shy by nature and unlikely to hurt humans, but recommends that food sources – including bird seed – should be removed from yards. The smallest of the species found in North America, the black bear’s breeding season typically runs from mid-June through July.
Anyone who spots a black bear should report it to the DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement by calling (401) 222-3070.
Have you seen the black bear? To share your photo send it to sandy@nrinow.news.
Dear Andre, you are so misinformed and scared for no reason. Give the bear his or her room, do not provide food, and most of all stay away from cubs. Enjoy nature from a safe distance. As a local hunter, I have been seeing black bears for the last 5 years. Give them their space and all will be fine.
Was he carrying a weapon? I’m a staunch believer in the right to arm bears.
This is very scary. All bears are dangerous
I hope you’re joking. People are much more dangerous than a black bear.