MCCANDLESS, Pa. — Allegheny County officials put out a warning to visitors at North Park after a black bear was spotted swimming in the North Park Lake.
It’s a hot topic in North Park.
“She’s like, did you hear about the bear, and I was like - no, wait, what happened with the bear? She’s like, ‘Did you hear they were swimming and I was like, ‘No, I wish I saw that because I would’ve thought that’s like the cutest thing ever,” said Megan Mashuda.
Tuesday, Allegheny County put out a social media post warning park visitors about the swimming black bear and to give the bear plenty of space if you see it.
Kathy Gargasz & Sandy Hudock of New Wilmington said, “I’d try to get away, yeah. Or if it’s at a distance, you could just watch it.”
“Stay away from ‘em. Stop feeding them, keep your trash clean and be on guard I guess,”
Video captured by a park visitor over the weekend shows a black bear at North Park. On Saturday they posted the bear sighting was that night around 7:30. The bear reportedly crossed Babcock from the swimming pool, went into the woods, and was making its way towards the Allegheny County Police Station.
Daily park visitors say they’re not afraid and it won’t stop them from coming here. They’ll just be more aware.
Laura Matulevich is at the park daily. She said, “It doesn’t really scare us. We don’t get too worried about it. If I saw him in the pond I’d just be like oh look at that, a bear I wouldn’t try to approach him or anything like that.”
County officials say visitors should also keep their pets leashed and under control. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is monitoring this situation.
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