EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) – A 22News viewer spotted a bear walking around their backyard in East Longmeadow on Saturday.

This 22News viewer has a trail cam set up in their Windham Drive backyard, and they like to watch the videos back of the wildlife that comes through. Many times, they have seen foxes, skunks, and opossums.

On Saturday night, however, the camera captured a black bear slowly walking in the backyard. A few hours later, they noticed that their bird feeder/flower hanger that had been there for 10 years was on the ground, bent in half, and all the suet cages were crushed and empty.

According to Mass.gov, there are 4,500 black bears, across the Commonwealth, making it not uncommon to see one walking through your yard. Black bears become more active and are searching for food during springtime in western Massachusetts.

According to the National Park Service, if you see a bear you should do the following:

  • Remain watchful
  • Do not approach it
  • Do not allow the bear to approach you
  • If the bear is at a distance, feeding or walking by, and notices you but continues its natural behavior, no action is needed on your part. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear.
  • If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) you are too close.
  • Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don’t run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same.

Local News

WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in 1953 by providing local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Follow 22News on X @WWLP22News, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.