Community Corner

'Bruin' the Bear Wanders Through Shrewsbury; Resident Captures Snapshot

"It was right outside my window," said Beth Casavant, a Shrewsbury resident who lives off of Spring Street. I never saw a bear up close before." 

There have been numerous reports of sightings of the 'Bruin the bear,' as media outlets such as the Boston Globe are dubbing him. 

Spotted in Northborough on Thursday, Oct. 10, (Patch reported on five sightings) the black bear headed to Shrewsbury, as residents called with reports.

Casavant shared a photo with Patch that she snapped of the bear on Thursday afternoon at 4:45 p.m. as he meandered through Vista Place. 

"My girls and I were so surprised," she said. "My youngest is a second grader at Spring and the animal control officer was at school during the day to monitor recess. It just meandered by and went back into the woods. I called the non urgent police line because it was 4:45 and animal control was closed.  The police came through neighborhoods to warn people to go indoors."

The bear sightings prompted an announcement from Shrewsbury Police, who issued a statement: 

"On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Shrewsbury Police received reports from residents of a small Black Bear being sighted weighing approximately 125-150 pounds. The reports were received in the afternoon hours in the Spring Street, High Street and Dean Park areas. Shrewsbury Police also reported seeing the bear and once spotted the bear ran off into a wooded area."

Police said that the Shrewsbury Animal Control Officer Leona Pease assisted in the area and the Massachusetts Environmental Police and Shrewsbury school officials were notified.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here