Bear spotted in City of Newburgh as residents report multiple sightings
Witness video shows bear perched in a tree on Montgomery Street Thursday as residents report other sightings overnight in nearby neighborhoods.
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A bear was spotted in a tree in the City of Newburgh on Thursday, while residents reported additional sightings in other parts of the city overnight.
Video provided to News 12 shows the bear perched in a tree along Montgomery Street as onlookers gathered below.
The sighting comes as several residents reported seeing bears in other nearby neighborhoods overnight. One resident told News 12 that at least two bears were seen near Renwick Street, behind the Newburgh Free Library as well as near the Varick Apartments.
It is unclear whether the reports involve the same bear or multiple animals.
News 12 has reached out to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and City of Newburgh officials for information about the sightings.
According to the DEC, young bears — particularly 1-year-old males — commonly disperse from the area where they were born this time of year. During that process, they can travel dozens of miles and occasionally pass through unusual locations, including urban neighborhoods.
The DEC said it has not received any recent reports of a bear in the City of Newburgh. They advise anyone who encounters a bear that poses an immediate threat to public safety to call 9-1-1.
For non-emergency situations involving bears that are damaging property or refusing to leave an area, residents are encouraged to contact the DEC’s Law Enforcement Dispatch Center at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267).
