Bear sighting caused stir in Williamsville

WILLIAMSVILLE, N.Y. (WIVB) - News 4 kept you updated through the night and into WakeUp! on the bear sighting in the town of Williamsville.

There have been no bear sightings since Wednesday night. However, the black bear, believed to be a year and a half old, caused quite a stir Wednesday night when it came within feet of News 4's Michelle McClintick just before she went live on the air.

Nancy Ernst said, "All of the sudden we heard the police whistling and they were trying to get it to come down. It did and it ran right behind our backyard and right between those two houses. Then that was it, it was gone."

Kevin Ernst said, "It was quite interesting, unexpected. You could have given me a million guesses and I would have never guessed that there was a bear in the backyard. A little excitement that we weren't planning on last night."

Amherst Police are telling neighbors that more and more adolescent bears are passing through town from the southern tier, having been driven out by older male bears who claim the territory for themselves.

Amherst Police Capt. David Hoy said, "These adolescent bears are very much like adolescent humans. They're rambunctious, a little rebellious, very energetic, and always looking for something to eat."

They especially like to feast on bird seed and garbage. Two summers ago, a bear about this size was shot and killed by Amherst Police after it showed up in backyards and crossed busy roads. Police hope they do not have to use deadly force against the most recent intruder. What should you do if you spot the bear?

DEC Senior Wildlife Biologist Tim Spierto said, "Just give them some space and let them pass through. They don't want to be in Amherst. They want to be in the more wild areas up in Niagara County."

People seem to be pretty much going about their business as usual. The mailman isn't showing any fear.

Mailman Kurt said, "I'm not really that concerned about it during the daytime. They're more afraid of us than we are of them."

For more information on how to stay safe from bears, the Amherst Police Department has posted some helpful tips on their website.