Kids at Lynnmour Elementary had their sports day activities moved inside Friday morning after a large bear was spotted on a public trail behind the school grounds.
It was the second time in two days a black bear was spotted near the school. “It does sound like it was the same bear,” said conservation officer Lonnie Schoenthal.
Kids were out on the field for a fun day of activities including running and riding on bikes and scooters when the bear was spotted by parents on a trail behind the field.
Teachers cancelled the running and moved the bike activities to the front of the school while police and conservation officers checked the trails. By then, however, the bear had moved on.
Sports day was to continue in the school’s gym Friday afternoon.
Lynnmour Elementary is close to Lynn Creek and backs on to a wooded area with trails that connect to Inter River Park.
“Lynn Creek is accessed by bears year round,” said Schoenthal. “It’s not unusual to have a (bear) sighting in this area.”
Residents reported seeing the bear in a playground area of Digger Park the evening before.
Schoenthal said from the descriptions, the bear, likely a yearling, didn’t appear to be doing anything unusual or aggressive.
But now that bears are coming out of hibernation, Schoenthal said it’s important for residents to bring bird feeders in and keep garbage inside until pickup day so bears don’t get attracted to residential areas.
