A wandering black bear has turned a quiet stretch of the South Shore into an unexpected wildlife watch zone, with sightings in backyards across Avon, Randolph and Holbrook prompting officials to close part of a local park and warn residents to keep their distance. Avon police have shut vehicle access to D.W. Field Parkway and closed the gates at South Street while animal control and state environmental officers keep tabs on the animal. The bear has been spotted near the Avon–Randolph town line and along Route 28, and authorities are urging people to steer clear of trails and keep pets close.
Avon police announced the closures and asked the public to stay out of the area, according to WCVB NewsCenter 5. The department said access to the parkway and gates will remain shut while officers coordinate with animal control and the state Environmental Police to monitor the situation.
In Randolph, the bear has already made an appearance on doorbell and neighborhood cameras, surprising residents who later discovered the visitor while scrolling their feeds, WHDH reports. Randolph officers told the outlet the animal appears to be foraging for food and has not shown any signs of aggression. Even so, residents were urged to keep pets indoors and stay away from the dog park while officials keep an eye on where the bear heads next.
Why bears are showing up closer to towns
State wildlife officials say a growing bear population, combined with shifting habitat, is sending young, dispersing animals into more suburban neighborhoods. MassWildlife notes there are an estimated 4,500 black bears in Massachusetts and that their range has been expanding eastward in recent years, which makes sightings in places like the South Shore less of a rarity than they used to be.
How to avoid conflicts
Animal control officers are asking residents to make their properties less appealing to a hungry bear. That means securing trash barrels and chicken coops, taking down bird feeders and keeping a close watch on pets until the animal moves on, according to WCVB NewsCenter 5. Sightings should be reported to the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 800-632-8075 or to local animal control at 617-639-7982, and officials say to call 911 only if there is an immediate emergency.
Randolph police and wildlife officials told reporters they expect the young bear will likely leave on its own once it finds more natural food sources, according to The Boston Globe. Until then, the park will stay closed while crews continue to monitor its movements and coordinate any response that might be needed.
