Bears Spotted in the Northern Virginia Region

In the past week, there have been several sightings of a juvenile black bear or bears in Northern Virginia, including in Arlington and Fairfax.  While it is not common to see bears in our region, they can be found in nearly every county and city across Virginia.  These young bears are likely passing through our area as they search for new territory away from their mothers. They have not been interacting with humans directly. 

If you see a bear on your property or while you are outdoors, DO NOT approach it; slowly and calmly get to a safe, enclosed place. If you are in the City of Alexandria, contact the AWLA’s Animal Services department via the police non-emergency dispatch number of 703.746.4444.  If you are in another jurisdiction, contact their Animal Control division, who will work with the Department of Wildlife Resources to determine the next steps.

To help keep yourself and your family, including pets, safe from bears, please keep the following recommendations in mind:

• Make sure you are watching your pets when they are in your yard, and keep them on a leash when you are not on your property.
• Keep your trash secure by storing it in a locked area or using a container that is animal- resistant.
• Address other potential bear attractants on your property, including uncleaned grills, bird feeders and compost piles.
• Do not leave human or pet food out overnight.

You can read more about black bears from the Virginia Department of Wildlife HERE.