If you’re out in Streetsboro, make sure you stay clear of an unwanted visitor making its way through the area.
The Streetsboro police have warned residents of a black bear spotted in the northeast section of the city June 27, according to a Facebook post.
“Black bears are generally shy and reclusive but are also opportunistic – if your garbage or bird feeders are out and accessible, they will eat what they can,” the police department’s post read.
Residents are warned not to give the animal any reason to stick around.
“While it is in town, DO NOT feed it, secure your garbage in your garage or shed if you can, take down bird feeders and keep your small pets inside,” the post read.
Streetsboro’s police department noted that while the black bear’s diet is plant based, they will eat garbage and small mammals including chickens, mice and squirrels.
“The best advice we can give is to just LEAVE IT ALONE, it will pass through town like they always have in years past,” the police department said.
How to protect your house, backyard from black bears
Here’s how you can protect your backyard if one is in your area, per the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR):
What to do if you see a black bear
If you happen to run into a black bear, ODNR recommends following these guidelines based on the acronym AWARE:
The Columbus Dispatch contributed to this report.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Black bear spotted near Streetsboro residences Friday, police warn
Reporting by Anthony Thompson, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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