05/26/2026
👀 Any guesses what made these tracks? 🐾
If you said black bear… you might be right.
Pennsylvania is home to thousands of black bears, and summer is an active season for them as they search for food, explore territory, and avoid the heat. While seeing signs of wildlife can be exciting, it’s important to know how to stay safe if you encounter a bear outdoors.
🐻 Bear safety reminders:
• Give bears plenty of space and never approach them
• Stay calm and slowly back away if you see one
• Make yourself look big and speak in a calm, firm voice
• Never feed bears or leave food/trash behind
• Keep campsites and hiking areas clean
Experts note that black bears are generally shy and usually avoid people when given the chance. Most encounters end peacefully when humans respect their space.
Pennsylvania Parks & Forests Foundation: https://paparksandforests.org/black-bears-summer-encounters-when-adventuring-outdoors/
Photo: Rich Zaino