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Bear Sighting on Campus

Contributed by William Ferguson on 10/13/05

At about 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12, an unidentified person reported sighting a black bear in the parking lot of Public Safety. Officers responded and located the animal near the Physical Plant Compost site. The officers monitored the bear until it left the campus westerly toward route 96B.

Although Tompkins County is not heavily populated by black bears, it is not unusual for them to be spotted in different areas of the county during migration. Black bears are large and powerful animals, but are not normally aggressive towards humans. The Office of Public Safety reminds community members to never approach, attempt to touch or confront wildlife. Do not try to startle, alarm, or harass any wildlife seen on the campus.

In the event a bear is spotted on the campus, community members are asked to call the Office of Public Safety for assistance at 274-3333 (4-3333) or by using a blue light emergency phone.

Topic: Archive

Bear Sighting on Campus Comment from aaleman1 on 10/16/05

GREAT. Ithaca College is an effing zoo.

Bear Sighting on Campus Comment from kwikoff on 10/17/05

Even though bears are dangerous -- and they ARE -- it is nice to know there are still bears alive and well in the world we all share. Ithaca is not the Big City (thank goodness) and bears are a reminder that there are still pockets of wilderness out here in the country. I am glad I don't live in some sterile gated community where wildlife cannot pass -- we all just have to take care around the more dangerous animals.

Bear Sighting on Campus Comment from pmorris1 on 10/17/05

Sorry guys, My Holloween costume is just too realistic I guess

Bear Sighting on Campus Comment from mwechsl1 on 10/17/05

At first when I read this article I thought it was using "bears" as a (very clever) metaphor but then the more I read, the more I realized that it was actually about real bears. For more bear information, please look no further.

Bear Sighting on Campus Comment from mwechsl1 on 10/17/05

Actually, now that I read it more, I think that I was right. The bears are a metaphor for sprawl and the overdevelopment or our natural environment.

Bear Sighting on Campus Comment from endres on 10/17/05

Interesting that the bear was seen near the compost area. Bears, being omnivorous, might easily find the compost inviting, with spoiled vegetable matter, and such. They have also been seen (locally) to tear apart bird feeders and other sources of food. As their habitat is encroached on by humans with expanding sprawl, they are forced to change their feeding habits, and, as smart animals, they quickly realize that what we throw out is often edible and easy pickings. Best defense here is not to give them easy food sources such as open trash cans or discarded food along roadsides.
I have been told that at this time of year (and in spring) they are migrating, generally along the ridgetops. Stephentown Hill (behind campus) has wooded areas extending all the way to Wilseyville and would be good bear habitat for their travels.

Bear Sighting on Campus Comment from mdarling on 10/17/05

I am sure that the bear was following the City water line that runs behind both the Office of Campus Safety and the Compost Facility. While there is a distinct aroma at the Compost Facility, the active composting of food scraps takes palce inside the building. No chance for a quick snack there!

Bear Sighting on Campus Comment from sgoldin1 on 10/17/05

A wise man once told me that if you ever get charged by a bear, run down the steepest hill around as fast as you can, bears are strong climbers but they cant run down hills very well.