Multiple bear sightings reported in Arlington
August 27, 2008 · Updated 4:44 PM
ARLINGTON Starting July 7, numerous phone calls have reported sightings of a bear in the southern portion of the city of Arlington.
Arlington Assistant City Administrator Kristin Banfield explained that most of these sightings have centered on a wooded area to the east of the Arlington Municipal Airport and adjacent to the Arlington Boys and Girls Club and the Arlington Skate Park. She added that sightings have also been reported in the Gleneagle neighborhood of Arlington.
The Arlington Police Department has advised anyone who encounters a bear in Arlington to call 9-1-1, while the National Forest Service provides the following tips for bear encounters:
Bears tend to avoid people. In most cases, if you give a bear plenty of room it will move on.
Make your presence known. Make noise by talking or singing in a loud voice.
Make yourself seem bigger than you are by waving your arms or holding your coat high above your head.
Do not turn your back on the bear. Always keep the bear within your sights but do not stare.
Do not run.
Make sure that your garbage is not left out in the open.
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