Young Black Bear Swims Across River From New Hampshire Into Maine

A young black bear apparently decided to take the scenic route into Maine over the weekend  by swimming across the Piscataqua River.

According to WGME, Kittery Harbormaster John Brosnihan got a call Saturday about a bear in the water, making its way from New Castle, New Hampshire, toward Kittery.

When Brosnihan took his boat out to check on the situation, he said he spotted the bear’s head poking out of the water as it paddled toward Fort McClary.

Brosnihan said he turned on his emergency lights, kept nearby boats away from the bear, and followed it safely toward shore.

The news station said that once the bear reached land, it reportedly rested on some rocks for a few minutes before hopping back into the water, swimming a little farther, and eventually making its way onto a lawn.

About 45 minutes later, Brosnihan said the bear jumped a fence, ran across the street, and disappeared into the woods in Kittery.

“I think the bear was just on a little staycation in Kittery,” Brosnihan told WGME.

The day before, what may have been the same bear was caught on camera exploring a jetty near Rye, New Hampshire, just south of New Castle.

Ashley Varney, who captured that video, told WGME she was boating with a friend when they spotted the young bear and quickly grabbed her phone to record what she called a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Dan Bailey, bear project leader with New Hampshire Fish and Game, said young bears around 18 months old often leave their mothers and head out on their own this time of year.

Bailey said it appears this bear may have dispersed from its mother, taken a wrong turn, and ended up along the seacoast.

Wildlife officials in both Maine and New Hampshire are aware of the bear. They remind people to keep their distance if they see one and to avoid leaving out anything that could attract bears, including bird feeders, unsecured trash, or backyard poultry.

In other words, enjoy the bear sighting from a safe distance  but don’t accidentally roll out the buffet.