A jogger spotted a black bear early Tuesday morning on the bike paths near Witter Farm in Old Town, according to a University of Maine spokesperson.
An employee of the Old Town Police Department saw the bear when he was running the trails, UM’s Shelby Hartin said.
UMaine students and faculty, plus community members, use the bike paths regularly.
The university urged those who use the paths to exercise caution, stay aware of the surroundings and not approach the bear.
No other information was available, but the University of Maine Police Department is monitoring the area and asked that further sightings be reported at 207-581-4040.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife offers the following tips on its website about people living with black bears:
Hike in groups and stay together, keeping children in sight and dogs on a leash; make noise in thick cover; carry bear spray and a walking stick for defense; quietly back away and leave the area.
If you come onto a bear in the woods, don’t approach it, just back away and leave the area. If it’s in a building or dumpster or you come across it around a corner, give the bear a clear escape route, leave doors open and back away. Don’t lock the bear in a room.
If the bear approaches you or makes noise, raise your arms to look bigger and repeat “Hey bear” while you back away. If it follows you, don’t run, just keep backing away. If it continues to follow you, stand your ground, wave your arms and make noises and get ready to fight or use bear spray. If it charges you, stand your ground, stay calm and use your bear spray in a circular motion. If it attacks, fight back with anything at hand or by kicking.
