A recent black bear sighting in North Central Massachusetts is a reminder that our state is, as the Division of Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) puts it, "black bear country."

“The fact that there is a black bear in Townsend, a place where we have resident bears, is not at all a surprise,” said Dave Wattles, black bear biologist for MassWildlife . “Bears are in our backyards on a daily basis.”

MassWildlife estimates there are at least 4,500 black bears in Massachusetts. And while the bear population is mainly settled in the state's central and western parts, they do wander and can often be found in other areas.

While black bears are less aggressive toward people than are brown bears, it's important to remember the potential for conflict always exists with a wild a

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