Scarborough and South Portland police departments said they received numerous reports of bear sightings on Wednesday.
In Scarborough, bear sightings were reported near Maple Avenue, Route 1 and Pleasant Hill Road on Wednesday, and Broadturn Road on Tuesday. In South Portland, bears were seen in the Thornton Heights neighborhood on Wednesday, including Sunset Avenue by the railroad tracks, police reported.
Angela Fauth of South Portland told the Press Herald that a bear got into her bird feeder and had ventured into their yard at least twice in one day.
The Scarborough Police Department posted on its Facebook page Wednesday this photo and video of the bear raiding a bird feeder.
The Scarborough Police Department posted a video on its Facebook page of a bear getting into a bird feeder. The Facebook page said that “dry weather and lack of vegetation in bear habitats” was leading to bears venturing into yards. Tips to keep safe from bears include:
• securing trash;
• bringing bird feeders indoors;
• cleaning grills;
• making loud noises when leaving the house at night;
• keeping pets indoors or on leashes.
The South Portland police website said that bear sightings “happen from time to time, and with just a bit of awareness, it’s most likely our visitor will move on from the city shortly.”
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