Old Orchard Beach police warn of bear sightings

The Old Orchard Beach Police Department has confirmed two bear sightings in town today.

Police received a report of a bear sighting in the Saco Avenue area near the fire station around 9:15 a.m. today, June 14, according to a Facebook post by the Old Orchard Beach Police Department. A second sighting was reported in the same time frame in the Lucette Avenue area, said police.

“Both sightings were confirmed by law enforcement and the animals re-entered wooded areas nearby,” said police.

The animals likely came from the wooded areas on the West side of Saco Avenue, said police. Old Orchard Beach animal control responded and will be monitoring the situation to deal with any further sightings.  The Maine Warden Service was also notified of the sightings, said police

Police offered some safety tips to help mitigate bears and other wildlife:

Secure the Trash: Keep your garbage cans inside a garage or shed until the morning of pickup.

Take Down Bird Feeders: Bears love easy calories, and birdseed (especially sunflower seeds and suet) is like a magnet for them. It's best to take them down for a bit.

Pet Safety: Keep your pets on a leash when outside, and avoid leaving pet food on the porch or deck.

Clean the Grill: Burn off any leftover grease or food residue from your outdoor grill, as the smell can attract them from quite a distance.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.