Black bears have been spotted periodically in the Finger Lakes Region, but one Elmira resident got to see one up close and personal.
A black bear has been spotted multiple times walking around the City of Elmira and hanging out by the Chemung River.
The DEC stresses that humans should never approach bears when they’re spotted, but when the bear spotted a resident, he ran towards the car, then into the yard of another resident, chasing the woman of the residence and causing damage to her fence.
Toni Dunn had been driving from a friends house when the bear spotted the car and charged her and her son. She immediately rolled up the windows.
As cars, police, and animal control started to scare the bear, a nearby resident, Jolene Dwyer, said the bear started to come toward her.
She ran for her life and the bear began to chase her, ripping her fence.
Bears are currently feeding before it’s time for them to go into hibernation, and there are ways to live with bears peacefully during their feeding season.
Experts say to keep areas clean and free of food, take down bird feeders, and do not feed animals outside.
If a bear encounter does occur, make yourself big and loud, waving your arms around and yelling to make the bear feel submissive and leave.
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