CONNEAUT — Several Conneaut residents “bear-ly” awake early Wednesday morning were startled to see a big furry four-legged visitor racing through yards and streets.
A black bear ambled through a large stretch of the city’s downtown district, prompting a flood of calls to the police station, beginning around 4 a.m., said Police Chief Jon Arcaro. The bruin caused no serious property damage and was not aggressive, according to reports.
Police and other city employees kept an eye on the critter, watching it climb a few trees, officials said. The animal last was spotted entering thick brush in the area of West Jackson and Commerce streets, Arcaro said.
Bear sightings in the area aren’t uncommon, but a visit to some of the city’s busiest neighborhoods proved a real attention-getter.
Doris Tackett saw the bear run across 15th Street near the front door of Conneaut’s Public Works Department, where she works. The sight was thrilling, she said.
“He was big and beautiful,” Tackett said.
Frank Giganti of Main Street grabbed his camera and went bear hunting after hearing broadcast reports of its arrival Wednesday morning. Giganti caught up with his prey in the area of Depot and Mill streets and snapped several photos, he said.
“It added a little excitement to the morning,” Giganti said.
Police first learned about the bear Tuesday night, when a west-side resident called the station, Arcaro said. The next report was received at 4 a.m. from someone in the area of Sandusky and Mill streets, he said.
The bear was likely a young male that wandered in from Pennsylvania to stake out some territory of its own, said Suzie Prange, wildlife research biologist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
“This is the time of year for that,” Prange said. “The males are coming through.”
Because of their proximity to bear-packed Pennsylvania, Ohio’s eastern counties — like Ashtabula County — traditionally log the most sightings, Prange said. Last year, 141 black bears were spotted in Ohio, up from 113 in 2006, she said.
“Sightings have increased slightly every year,” Prange said. “Sightings peaked in 2001 and 2002.”
Adult black bears can range in weight from 150 to 600 pounds, according to reports. Despite their cuddly appearance, bears can become aggressive, experts say. For that reason, people who see a bear are advised to keep their distance and contact authorities.
Coincidentally, a black bear caused a stir in the city one year ago Wednesday, amusing guests at the Evergreen Lake Park campground. Over the next few days, the bear made appearances in Kingsville and at a Keefus Road home in Conneaut.
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