BATAVIA, N.Y. — Police are reminding the public to be aware, after a bear was sighted in the City of Batavia.
Officials shared Ring Doorbell video from a home on Vine Street. 2 On Your Side has not been able to independently confirm the video.
Officers stress that there is no need to be alarmed, but they want people to remember some useful tips for dealing with a bear in urban settings.
New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation says being "BearWise" can reduce the chances of a bear ending up in your backyard.
They include:
- Never feed or approach bears
- Secure food, garbage and recycling
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active
- Never leave pet food outdoors
- Clean and store grills and smokers
- Alert neighbors to bear activity
"Black bears have depleted fat reserves and will search extensively for easily obtainable, calorie-dense foods, which can lead to an increase in the potential for human-bear conflicts near homes and residential areas, especially before the spring green-up, when natural food sources for bears are scarce," the DEC told 2 On Your Side in April.
New Yorkers are also being reminded that intentionally feeding bears is illegal. It could lead to bears creating problems in the community. The DEC released a video showing how bears will search for food when hungry.
The DEC is advising New Yorkers who live in bear country, or those who plan on visiting those areas, to take down bird feeders, clean up any remaining birdseed, store garbage containers and pet and livestock feed securely indoors.