Residents across the region have reported seeing a bear, and it hasn’t been from the Maryland Zoo – WBAL News Radio

Numerous people across the Baltimore region have reported seeing a bear recently, and it hasn’t been at the Maryland Zoo.
Residents from Pikesville and Randallstown have reported seeing a bear, as have residents in Columbia, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR told 11 News it believes a single black bear, less than 2 years old, has been dispersing — leaving the area it was born and searching for a new home to live the rest of its life.
“I was at the intersection of Dobbin Road and Snowden River Parkway right by Target, PNC, driving in my car, and out of the corner of my eye I saw this little black bear, and I was like, ‘Am I crazy?’ I stopped and I took a picture of him, he was so cute, he was just kind of prancing, and he went behind the PNC and Target, and he was so cute,” said Annie Weinschenk, a Columbia resident.
Weinschenk isn’t crazy, and the DNR said it isn’t even surprised that residents have seen a bear around the area.
The DNR said Maryland and its surrounding states have seen “very healthy and expanding bear populations,” and that it is possible for humans and bears to live side by side.
Weinschenk said her mother lives in Taylor Village in Ellicott City and saw a bear on Wednesday. Another friend texted her about a bear sighting in Ilchester.
“He looked so happy, but I was worried — this is not a bear-friendly area, right?” Weinschenk said.
The DNR said it believes all the reported sightings are of the same bear.
“It’s kind of cute, but strange to be in the Target shopping center,” Daru Paige said.
Columbia Crossing wasn’t the only place the bear was seen, though. Annie Hudson and her neighbors told 11 News a bear was in the Ellicott City neighborhood on Tuesday.
“My friends are texting me because my dogs are on electric fences, and they’re outside all the time,” Hudson said. “They’re like, ‘Bring the babies in!’ They don’t want them to get eaten by a bear.”
If you see a black bear, DNR said to give the bear space and allow it to move through the area since they are still wild animals.
“Eliminating food attractants such as garbage, bird feeders and pet food is the simplest way to reduce the chances of a bear being in your area,” said Jonathan Trudeau with DNR.
Bear sightings can be reported to your local Wildlife and Heritage office at 410-356-094 or the general wildlife line at 410-260-8540.
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