Three black bear sightings reported in Fall River and Freetown over the weekend

On Sunday afternoon, a bear that figured in one of the sightings had gone off into woods

Three black bear sightings were reported in the north end of Fall River and in Freetown over the weekend, according to police.

The bear was first reported Saturday afternoon in Freetown, said a spokesperson for State Environmental Police in an e-mail. Another bear — believed, but not confirmed to be the same — was then reported on a residential deck around 10:30 p.m. at Apple Creek Lane in Fall River, the spokesperson said. The animal was not aggressive, the spokesperson said.

The last reported sighting of a bear, estimated to weigh 80 to 100 pounds, was on Sunday around 06:07 a.m., the spokesperson said. As of Sunday afternoon, the bear had gone off into a wooded area in the vicinity of the sightings, the spokesperson said. The animal is believed to be alone, the spokesperson said.

The State Environmental police were working to find and relocate the bear “as quickly and safely as possible,” according to a Sunday morning Facebook post by Fall River police. Officers tracked the bear throughout the areas of Dewey Street, Highland Avenue, Elsbree Street, and Winifred Way by the Route 24 rotary, the spokesperson said.

Police asked the public to avoid the 5000 block of North Main Street, and residents not to leave any small pets unattended or any dog or cat food outside.

“Should you see the bear, do not attempt to approach it,” the post said.

A bear sighted in Fall River on Saturday, May 21, 2023.Fall River police