Bears Spotted In Maryland Over Past Few Weeks

RANDALLSTOWN, Md. (WJZ) -- There have been three bear spottings in Maryland in the past several weeks. Experts say this is a little early for when we typically see bears but it's not uncommon.

Tracey Leong reports they're warning people to be on the lookout and to just stay away.

"Black bear out here. Dog was going crazy," said Reggie Showers, who saw the bear.

Showers was shocked to find a black bear hanging out in his Randallstown neighborhood Friday evening. He captured the sighting on his cell phone before it ran off into the woods.

"He didn't look like he was going to hurt me. I just didn't want to scare him. I didn't know if Mom was around; he did look a little juvenile," Showers said.

While it may be shocking, it's not a rare sight for Marylanders.

According to our media partner, the Baltimore Sun, Waverly Elementary School in Howard County was placed on lockdown after a bear was spotted near the campus June 1.

Before that, a black bear was seen in Cecil County May 25. Experts say it came through Delaware and was making a big loop.

"This is the time of year that juvenile bears are being kicked out and forced to find a territory of their own," said bear biologist Harry Spiker.

Spiker says these alarming sights are not uncommon---or even very threatening.

"None of these bears exhibit any behaviors of any concern to us. They are really just moving through," Spiker said.

Experts also recommend people keep a safe distance from the animals, who will typically leave on their own.

"People are either really afraid or think it's really cool," Spiker said.

Black bear sightings in Maryland are most common in July and August.