Bear sightings in Delco, Del., but no link yet to Wissahickon bear
Since a black bear was spotted swimming in the Wissahickon Creek in Fairmount Park last Friday, many have been wondering: Where has the bear gone?
Since a black bear was spotted swimming in the Wissahickon Creek in Fairmount Park last Friday, many have been wondering: Where has the bear gone?
Wildlife officials say there have been reported bear sightings this week spanning more than 30 miles from Philadelphia to Delaware County and Delaware, but they are not sure if any of those sightings are the same bear spotted near Valley Green Inn last week.
Jerry Czech, a wildlife conservation officer with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said by email Wednesday that there were no sightings of the Wissahickon bear over the weekend in the city.
A bear was spotted about 10 miles away in Tredyffrin Township, Chester County, about 6 a.m. Sunday. Czech said that could possibly be the same bear.
Then, about noon Monday, the Game Commission received a call about a bear sighting near mile marker 5 on Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Park. Czech got to the area in 15 minutes, but didn't see a bear, and the caller wasn't the person who spotted it.
Instead, the caller was relaying information from a bicyclist, who came down from a hiking trail near the Blue Stone Bridge and reported seeing a bear, Czech said.
The biker couldn't be found and there were no photos taken.
On Monday night, a bear was spotted near U.S. Routes 1 and 202 in Chadds Ford, Delaware County. Czech said he wasn't sure if this was the Wissahickon bear.
Police in New Castle County, across the state border from Chadds Ford, reported two black bear sightings in their neck of the woods.
Cpl. Tracey Duffy, a police spokeswoman, said a black bear was spotted about 11 p.m. Tuesday in a wooded, residential neighborhood in Hockessin.
Then about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, there was a bear sighting in Pike Creek, another residential neighborhood. This bear ran off into nearby Wood Creek Park, she said.
Delaware authorities believe the same bear came from Chadds Ford into Delaware. But Duffy wasn't sure if the Delaware bear was also Philadelphia's bear.
Czech advised if anyone sees a bear: Clap and make loud noises to scare the animal away. Don't approach it, he said.
If you spot a bear in the region, call the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 610-926-3136 or 911.
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@julieshawphilly