A family is getting ready for the day when an unexpected visitor is at their front door–a black bear. The bear was strolling in the Northeast Heights neighborhoods and peeked into the family’s house.
Maria Maruffi, who spotted the bear, initially thought it was just a lost dog. When she opened the door to go outside, she was shocked to find a bear.
Maruffi is preparing to take pictures of her children’s first day of school on their front porch. She said she is well aware of these bear encounters in the Tramway and Foothills areas. So she finds it unusual to see one a bit further down the city.
The family said the bear looked healthy and wasn’t in a hurry. The bear even helped himself climb to their apple tree and stayed for more than an hour before leaving. The family said they planned to move their trash in for the next few days.
Earlier this month, a bear sighting in the Sandia Heights neighborhood escalated when a man shot and wounded a bear. The bear and one cub survived, but her other cub did not make it while New Mexico Wildlife Department officers were trying to rescue it.
Previously, state officials said the increased sightings of bears in residential areas are most likely due to the lack of food sources in the mountains. Officers pointed out the summer season, due to a dry winter and spring, as the main factor in the lack of food for wildlife.
The New Mexico Department of Wildlife has received around 230 bear reports this year, up from 159 last year.
