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Bear likely seeking area to cool off, says animal control

A bear was spotted on John Matthews Road last year. FILE PHOTO/MARCELA BAUMGARTEN

A black bear seen in town late in June likely was trying to find a place to cool off, according to the town’s animal control officer.

On June 26, the Hopkinton Police Department received bear reports on both Wood Street and Huckleberry Road. The HPD put out a Facebook post shortly after those calls came in, referring to the animal as a “bear cub” and warning residents to use caution.

“If the bear becomes aggressive at all, please advise our dispatchers so we can act accordingly,” the post states.

Animal control officer Bill Proctor stated that he did not get confirmation about the animal’s age or potential aggression levels. When asked about the occurrence of bear cubs being out on their own, Proctor noted that “cub” could have meant the bear was up to a year old or the mother may have been in the vicinity but out of sight. Either way, he noted that black bears are less aggressive than other bear species.

“They’re going to run from you before you even start to run,” he said. “Unless something’s really wrong with it, it’ll never come anywhere near you.”

Bear sightings in the reported areas are not uncommon. Two were reported on Huckleberry Road at nearly the same time last year. At that time, Proctor had hypothesized that the animals were making their way to a water source to cool off given an intense heat wave. He stated the sightings this year also might have been in an effort to stay cool, despite milder temperatures.

The animal control officer also explained that the bears that come into Hopkinton typically are reclusive and spend most of their time in a 700-acre swampland in Westborough, near the E.L. Harvey waste management facility.

“Most people are never lucky enough to see one,” Proctor noted. He advised residents take caution when interacting with wildlife and remove things from their yards that could attract the animals. He called out bird feeders in particular as being a major attraction for bears.

Proctor also directed residents to check out the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s resource page on dealing with black bears.

— NICK SCHOFIELD

Latest News

Contractors will install a water main bypass on Claflin Place this morning.

Gregory Leal, 66, of Hopkinton passed away July 4.

The Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce will host its inaugural golf tournament July 13 at Hopkinton Country Club.

Town meetings tonight include the Sustainable Green Committee (6), Planning Board (7) and Commission on Disability (7).

Photo of the Day

Binh Nguyen (left) and Chi Ho are dressed in patriotic costumes as they ride on the St. John the Evangelist Parish float during Saturday’s Independence Day parade. Click here for more photos.

PHOTO/NICK SCHOFIELD