Sunday turned into a bear-tracking kind of day in Severn’s Still Meadow neighborhood, where multiple residents reported seeing a roaming bear and prompted a police advisory that quickly got the community’s attention. Police say the animal has been spotted in several locations around the area, and that so far there have been no injuries or reports of aggressive behavior.
According to Shore News Network, the Anne Arundel County Police Department has fielded several calls about possible bear sightings in Still Meadow and nearby streets. Officers are urging residents to keep kids and pets away from the animal, not to approach it under any circumstances, and to call 911 right away if they spot the bear. Police say they are continuing to monitor reports and will coordinate with wildlife officials as needed.
Why Bears Are On The Move Now
Wildlife biologists note that spring and early summer are prime travel seasons for black bears, when young animals strike out on their own, and adults search for mates. As the Delaware Department of Natural Resources explains, juvenile males in particular can cover long distances, and growing bear populations in the region can push wandering animals into suburban neighborhoods.
State Advice: Keep Bears Wild
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says that bear sightings in central Maryland crop up seasonally and that the best response is to remove easy food sources around homes. The agency stresses that “Keeping bears wild is a community effort that benefits bears and people,” and recommends locking trash in bear-proof containers or storing bins in a garage, cleaning grills after use, and taking down bird feeders while bears are active. Maryland DNR provides additional guidance for coexisting with bears.
Practical Steps For Residents
Neighborhood groups and national safety campaigns offer a familiar checklist: keep garbage in bear-resistant cans or inside until collection day, never leave pet food outdoors, remove bird feeders during bear season, and store grills clean, closed, and out of reach. The BearWise program backs up that advice with detailed checklists and community action plans to cut down on attractants and reduce the odds of a repeat visit. BearWise also shares materials for HOAs and neighborhood outreach efforts.
Anne Arundel County police have repeated that residents should not try to follow or confront the bear, and should call 911 immediately if they see it, according to local reporting. Officers and wildlife officials say they will continue to track reports, and they are encouraging anyone with photos or video of the animal to share them with authorities to help confirm its movements.
