Langley Park Bear: Black Bear Naps in Tree – NBC4
A black bear disrupted Memorial Day celebrations in Langley Park, Maryland, prompting swift action from the Maryland Department of Natural resources (DNR).The young bear, spotted wandering into a residential backyard, led to temporary lockdowns adn the cancellation of outdoor activities. Authorities safely captured and relocated the bear, ensuring public safety. Residents, initially advised to stay indoors, expressed relief after the incident concluded peacefully. This unexpected encounter in Prince George’s County underscores ongoing bear activity in the region, with officials speculating about potential connections to sightings in neighboring areas. News Directory 3 is following this developing story. Learn about the DNR’s next steps and how residents can prevent future bear encounters. Discover what’s next.
Bear Captured After Memorial day Visit to Langley park, Maryland
Updated May 27, 2025
A memorial Day cookout in Langley Park, Maryland, took an unexpected turn when a young bear wandered into a residential backyard. The incident prompted a response from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), who successfully captured the animal.
The bear’s visit caused a stir in the Prince George’s County neighborhood, as residents were advised to remain inside for several hours. Outdoor activities were temporarily suspended while authorities worked to secure the area and ensure public safety. The DNR used a tranquilizer dart to safely bring the bear down from a tree.
After being tranquilized,the 18-month-old bear was safely gathered and transported in a mobile bear trap. The DNR plans to relocate the bear to a wildlife management area within the state.
“Maybe the kids might’ve gotten scared a little bit, but it was just more exciting than anything else,” said a local resident.
The bear’s presence meant that some Memorial Day plans had to be adjusted.One resident noted that a planned trip to the playground was canceled due to police recommendations.
“We were going to the playground with my daughter. We cancelled as the police don’t want us to go outside,” another resident said.
reginald Bowens, a neighbor, expressed relief after the bear was captured, stating he felt safer knowing the animal was no longer a potential threat in the area.
“I feel safer, because I was gonna stay in here for a little bit and then leave because I didn’t want to come out when it was dark and run from it, and that might have been bad,” said neighbor Reginald Bowens.
Some officials speculate this could be the same bear previously spotted in Howard County and Beltsville.
What’s next
The DNR will continue to monitor bear activity in the region and encourages residents to report any sightings to local authorities.The agency also reminds the public to take precautions to avoid attracting bears, such as securing trash cans and removing potential food sources from yards.