Photo: Courtesy of New Bedford Police Department
TAUNTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A bear making its way along the South Coast has become a local social media sensation.
The black bear, who was named Yogi and then later named Linguiça, has been seen recently in Dighton, Taunton, Fall River, Freetown, Dartmouth, and New Bedford where the bear rose to stardom.
Local police and businesses have been having fun online, photoshopping the bear at restaurants in the area. The bear recently made its way to Marion.
Mass Wildlife said they are "closely monitoring the situation" and have been in contact with Massachusetts Environmental Police and local law enforcement.
They said they do not plan on moving the bear at this time as they would only immobilize and relocate the bear if it poses a high public safety threat, and so far Linguiça does not.
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May, June, and July are peak months for bear activity in Massachusetts, Mass Wildlife said.
If residents see a bear they are asked to leave it alone and make sure to keep pets leashed.
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