Residents in Anderson Township say a dark, bear-shaped visitor may have strolled through the neighborhood this week, kicking off a flurry of posts in Facebook groups and local chat threads. Neighbors described a large, dark animal moving through yards and near roads. For now, wildlife officials have not verified any of the reports, but the buzz has plenty of folks rethinking bird feeders and tightening trash can lids, just in case.
As reported by WCPO 9, several residents shared photos and eyewitness accounts on Facebook, catching the attention of WCPO east-side reporter Alex Null. So far, the sightings remain unconfirmed by wildlife authorities, and WCPO notes that officials are pointing the public to state guidance on how to react if they do encounter a bear while the reports are investigated.
Statewide surge and local history
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources' May 2026 Black Bear Monitoring Report shows that Ohio has been seeing more bear activity in general. In 2025, the state logged 537 sighting reports, with 289 of those confirmed by biologists. Sightings usually spike from late May through early July, which lines up with the window when Anderson Township residents posted their reports.
The same ODNR report notes that Hamilton County has had only three confirmed black bear sightings between 1993 and 2025, with two of those confirmed just last year. In other words, a bear in the neighborhood would not be completely unprecedented, but it would still be a pretty rare visitor.
What to do if you see a bear
Officials advise staying calm and resisting the urge to run if you see a bear, and to give the animal plenty of room so it can move away on its own. If the bear has not noticed you, back away slowly. If it does see you, avoid direct eye contact and keep retreating while giving it a clear escape route. If the bear actually approaches, you are told to make yourself look bigger and make loud noises to try to scare it off.
Local reporting from WCPO 9 notes that the state summarizes these steps with the AWARE approach and stresses the importance of removing attractants, such as bird feeders, unsecured trash, and grill grease, to make your yard less interesting to a roaming bear.
To help wildlife officials track animals, residents are encouraged to report any sighting, especially with photos or video, through the state's reporting system or by contacting a county wildlife officer or 1-800-WILDLIFE (800-945-3543), according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Hamilton County dispatchers and local authorities ask people not to call 911 for routine sightings unless the animal poses an immediate threat, and instead to share verification materials with ODNR so biologists can confirm reports and monitor movements, as reported by WVXU.
