NEWARK, Del. (CBS) – People living in New Castle County, Delaware are on alert after a black bear was spotted in various neighborhoods.
Surveillance video from a home on Julie Lane in Newark shows a bear biting a rug that was draped over the railing around 8 p.m. Saturday.
Homeowner Rachael DeFilippis said she was inside watching TV and had no idea the bear was on her back deck.
“If I had seen it in person, I think it would have been even scarier,” DeFilippis said.
Her son, Gio DeFilippis, 8, said his friends asked about the furry intruder.
“I never really knew a bear was coming to Delaware because I’m just surprised,” Gio said.
It’s unclear if that was the same bear seen Monday morning eating seeds from a bird feeder in the backyard of James Barnett’s home on Scottfield Lane.
“You’ve never seen anything like this here before,” Barnett said. “I mean, I have foxes and a deer every now and then, but that’s about it.”
Police say if you see a bear, don’t approach it.
“Obviously stay away from it,” said Lt. Andrew Rubin of the Newark Police Department. “You can call us to let us know so we can help keep people away from it and get the bear back into its natural habitat.”
What to do if you encounter a black bear
According to the Humane Society, it’s likely that the bear is more afraid of you than you are of the animal. Black bear attacks on humans are quite rare. This is how you can protect yourself against black bears.
Face the bear. Don’t run away, but don’t approach them.
Make yourself tall and spread your arms wide.
Make it loud by shouting or, if you are able, banging pots and pans together or using other devices that make noise.
If you have it, use bear spray if they approach you.
If the bear does attack you, fight back and do not surrender.
Once the bear has left, throw away anything that you think may have attracted it to where you were.
Madeleine Wright
