Another Black Bear Spotted in Chester County

A black bear was spotted in Westtown in Chester County over the weekend, the Westtown-East Goshen Police Association said.

The sighting was first reported in Green Lane Village on Friday evening, police said. The bear was later spotted on West Lynn Drive.

Authorities said that the Pennsylvania State Game Commission had been made aware of the bear and reminded the public that there is "no cause for alarm."

It's not the first bear sighting in the area this summer. A black bear was previously spotted in Phoenixville and West Whiteland in early June. In mid-May, there was a sighting in Wissahickon Park on the edge of Philadelphia.

The National Park Service offers the following tips for what to do if you see a black bear:

• Remain watchful.
• Do not approach it
• Do not allow the bear to approach you.
• If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) you are too close.
• Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same.
• If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting:
• Change your direction.
• If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground.
• If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it.
• Act aggressively to intimidate the bear.

Image of bear spotted in June via West Whiteland Police.