BELCHERTOWN, Mass. (WWLP) – A 22News viewer’s trash bin and shed have been visited by a bear Wednesday morning for the second time.

22News viewer Carl Cordes woke up to find the aftermath of a bear in his yard on Washington Street in Belchertown. The bear tore the door open on the shed, and ripped his trash barrel out, leaving trash everywhere.

Back in July, Cordes caught a bear on video stealing his trash from his yard. In the photos, the bear holding a 30-gallon trash bag and trying to bring it to the woods. According to Carl, he had to stop recording a video in order to get the bear to drop the bag of trash.

Photo courtesy of Carl Cordes

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 March 1953 providing local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Follow 22News on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram