Multiple Bear Sightings Reported in Howard County

Four bears have been spotted recently in Ellicott City and Columbia, WYPR reported Wednesday morning.

A pair of sightings occurred in Ellicott City neighborhoods, while two others were in Columbia, according to The Baltimore Sun.

One Howard County resident also reported there had been sightings near Timbers at Troy and Lyndwood in the Elkridge area.

Have you ever seen a bear in Howard County? Tell us in the comments!

Typically, Maryland's bear population is concentrated in Washington, Allegany, Frederick and Garrett counties, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and most stay within a 10 to 25-mile radius of where they live.

However, baby bears may roam up to 200 miles in a process called "dispersing" in which they try to find their own territory, according to natural resources officials.
After passing through suburbs in Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Montgomery counties, young bears usually settle in places with established bear populations in western Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, according to the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service.

Typically, the Department of Natural Resources receives about 300 calls regarding bears each year, but it fielded more than 500 in 2013, according to The Washington Post. The newspaper said one-third of last year's reports involved bears going through trash, while other callers reported bears invading homes, ransacking bird feeders and other incidents.

To report a bear sighting, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 410-260-8540.

Related: Beware Bears in Howard County