March 27, 2008 05:15 pm

Cut and paste version of story Photos Sue Logan, a physical education teacher for Hill View Montessori Charter School, shows the area where she saw a bear yesterday. The bear was spotted near the Silver Hill Elementary School's activities field behind the school. Staff photo

Bear makes surprise visit to elementary school physical education class

After weeks of tough winter weather and holding physical education classes inside, school children in Massachusetts finally got to go outdoors this week to enjoy the warmer weather. But few had the surprise that awaited the students at a Haverhill school, the sighting of a black bear.

By Mike LaBella
CNHI News Service

HAVERHILL, Mass. — A group of elementary school students and their teacher, enjoying the 60-degree weather during their first outdoor physical education class of the spring, didn't know what to make of the funny-looking, furry thing ambling across the school grounds Wednesday.
Initially they thought it was a small person. Or maybe a big dog. Then one of them recognized it, and all began to shout: "Bear! Bear!"
The screams caused the animal to scamper into the nearby woods. Teacher Sue Logan said it "was black and had a brown nose."
Jim Cardoza, a wildlife biologist with MassWildlife, said it was likely a year-old bear emerging from hibernation and looking for food. He said this is the time of year that they emerge from their winter dens.
Two other schools in the vicinity were notified of the bear sighting, and immediately locked their doors to make sure no students wandered outside. Police, conservation officers and animal control officials scoured 5 acres of woods and fields but could not locate the surprise visitor.
James Scully, principal of the Consentino Middle School, said his students reacted to the news of a bear sighting with cheers.
Euthemia Gilman, principal of Silver Hill Elementary School, said her students were warned to keep their distance if they encountered the bear.
"Bears are coming out of hibernation and are looking for food," said Gilman. "This is not a good time to cross a bear. They are not cute and cuddly."
MassWildlife said the black bear population in Massachusetts has been growing and now numbers about 3,000. It warned anyone who met up with a bear to stay clam and try not to startle the animal.

Mike LaBella writes for The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, Mass.



If you see a bear

Do not feed it.

Avoid contact — keep your distance and watch quietly.

Do not leave pet food outside because it may attract them.

Secure trash in closed containers in a garage or shed to keep bears away.

Questions can be directed to a MassWildlife district office. Information is available online at www.mass.gov/masswildlife.

Source: MassWildlife




Black bear facts

Total population in Massachusetts - about 3,000.

Don't go into true hibernation in winter. Instead, sleep soundly in their dens from November or December until early March to mid-April.

Are omnivores that eat a variety of foods from vegetation and berries to grubs and insects.

Excellent climbers, often using trees to rest and to protect their young.

Born in mid- to late January. Cubs usually remain in the den until April, and stay with their mother for about 17 months.

Females typically have their first litter when they are 3 or 4 years old.

Source: MassWildlife