Residents along the 300 block of Gouglersville Road in Cumru Township got an unexpected visitor on Tuesday when a black bear wandered through their quiet Berks County neighborhood, prompting warnings from local police and wildlife officials. Officers snapped a photo of the bear before it moved along, and neighbors were urged to keep pets and small children inside and to steer clear while authorities kept an eye on the area.
As reported by 6abc, the Cumru Township Police Department shared the bear photo on its Facebook page and reminded residents to notify the Pennsylvania Game Commission about any additional sightings so wildlife officers can track the animal's movements. Police said the bear was last seen along the 300 block of Gouglersville Road.
Black bears are now common across Pennsylvania, occupying more than three-quarters of the state, although sightings in the southeastern corner are usually just roaming individuals passing through, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The agency notes that bears mate from early June through mid-July, a time when younger animals often travel farther than usual in search of food or mates.
How to Stay Safe and Report Sightings
To cut down the chances of a repeat visit, homeowners are urged to lock up garbage, take down bird feeders while bears are active, store grills and pet food indoors, and bring small pets inside at night. The BearWise program lays out these steps and other simple habits that help keep bears from getting used to human food.
If you spot the bear or capture it on camera, you are asked to contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The agency's Operation Game Thief page lists a 24/7 hotline at 1-888-PGC-8001 and an online reporting form, per the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Cumru Township Police social media post has already been picked up by local outlets, and officials are asking residents to share any sightings or images with wildlife authorities.
Game officials will continue to monitor the bear's movements and determine whether capture or relocation is needed. In the meantime, people in the area are urged to follow Cumru police guidance and the Game Commission's BearWise recommendations to lower the risk of close encounters.
