Chester County Bear Appears To Be Headed South

WEST VINCENT TOWNSHIP, PA — The black bear making an appearance in Chester County neighborhoods this week appears to be headed south and southeast, with another sighting reported Tuesday night in Charlestown Township.

Residents in the "Charlestown Neighbors" Facebook group shared photos of the bear in a wooded area near a home on the 2700 block of Valley Hill Road, near Pigeon Run.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has been notified.

While there's no way to be certain it's the same bear, it's about eight miles as the crow flies from the bear was seen in West Vincent Township on Sunday and Monday. Bears are native to Pennsylvania, but sightings are rare in the densely populated southeastern region

A determined bear can walk anywhere from 20 to 40 miles a day if he so chooses, especially to search for food, so the quick hop from West Vincent to the Charlestown area is not surprising.

The latest sighting and his trajectory place him very close to I-76. Even if he does cross the interstate, his trajectory would take him across Route 202 and Lancaster Avenue shortly after that.

While bears are intelligent and that path is certainly possible, the bear could also seek a path of less resistance.

The appearance of a bear in his native habitat should not warrant any concern on its own. But issues can arise if the bear becomes reliant upon humans, specifically human trash, as a food source. Residents are asked to be mindful about leaving pet food outdoors and leaving their trash unsecured.

If you see the bear or have video footage, call 911.