The black bear that was roaming near Potomac Overlook park over the weekend has made its way south.
The young bear has more recently been spotted in the Donaldson Run and Cherrydale neighborhoods. Photos and video shared with ARLnow Monday morning show the bear exploring driveways and and a park along N. Quebec Street, near Langston Blvd.
“On my usual Monday morning walk, I spotted a black bear in the neighbour’s backyard,” one Cherrydale resident said via email. “Spotting a black bear on Monday morning was not on my to-do list for the day for sure but here we are.”
@ARLnowDOTcom – spotted on N. Quebec St. in Arlington this morning at 9am. pic.twitter.com/249IFSL594
— Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) June 10, 2024
On Sunday the Animal Welfare League of Arlington shared the following advice for residents in the bear’s roaming path.
On June 6th, 2024 a young black bear was spotted by a member of the public in Arlington County. Sightings are continuing here in Arlington as of today, June 8th, 2024 ranging through the Rivercrest and Bellevue Forest neighborhoods.
Our Animal Control Officers confirmed the sightings and immediately contacted the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and Virginia State biologist. The bear appears healthy and is likely a young male yearling moving through Arlington County in his search for a new home habitat. We are continuing to update these agencies as the location of the bear changes.
Bear sightings are becoming a much more regular occurrence this time of year in Arlington. Unfortunately in past bear sightings, we have had issues with members of the public going out in search of the bear to take their own photos or see it for themselves. This is VERY dangerous, and can cause harm to you, others, and the bear. As such, for the safety of everyone, we are not releasing the exact locations where the bear has been sighted. Instead, we ask that residents call AWLA immediately at (703) 931-9241 if they spot the bear, and keep to a safe distance or indoors.
We also urge residents follow these recommendations from DWR:
- Secure garbage: Keep in a locked shed, garage, or inside until collected or use a bear resistant container.
- Secure any compost piles
- Take down bird feeders. For tips on attracting birds, not bears: http://bearwise.org/…/BearWise-Bulletin-1-Attract-Birds…
- Clean up porches/decks: Clean grills including drip pans, remove any potential food sources, and remember a screened in porch is not a “secure” storage area from a bear’s point of view.
- Never leave food, trash, or pet food inside your vehicle
- Keep dogs on a leash at all times and ensure to check the yard before letting dogs outside into a fenced area
- Keep your garage doors closed at all times
We will continue to monitor the Bear as he moves through the County getting sighting updates from the community. We will not be forcibly removing the animal at this time as this does not follow best practice guidance received from the State.
