UPDATE: on 7-5-2013, the Burrillville Police Department reported: “A bear was sighted earlier today on Emerson Road and Hill Road. It was last seen heading north through the woods parallel to Hill Road. The Department of Environmental Management advises that the bear is attracted to trash cans, grills and bird feeders. If sited, do not panic or approach the bear. If the bear is in your yard DEM advises he can probably be scared off by banging pots and pans.”

Be aware that a bear may still be in the general area.

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Over the last several days, there have been some black bear sightings in the Northern Rhode Island area, including Smithfield. Though black bears are common in many parts of the country, sightings in our state are rare.

Remember to NEVER APPROACH A BLACK BEAR and, should you see a bear, please contact the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management at 401-222-3070 or the Smithfield Police Department at 401-231-2500.

The black bear seen at left was seen in Smithfield on June 29th in the general area of the Smithfield Police station.

For more information on black bears, please visit the RI DEM website.