Jim Thorpe resident raises concerns about bear

A Jim Thorpe resident recently expressed concern over a bear she said frequents a dumpster near the Inn at Jim Thorpe.

Marian Henning said Wednesday a small cub is “living in a dumpster” behind the inn and she is hopeful the bear can be relocated.

“Someone told me it lost its mother and I just want to see if someone can help it,” Henning said. “I would like to see the game commission put it somewhere else before someone gets hurt. I like all animals.”

Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Bill Williams said his office had not received any calls about the bear.

“Bears at dumpsters are very common,” Williams said. “That is not a bear we would trap anyway. The crux of the problem doesn’t disappear when you remove a bear that is going to a dumpster. Other bears are still going to come to that dumpster.”

Williams said if there is an issue, businesses can use a locking lid on a dumpster to help deter the bear and prevent it from having easy access.

Jim Thorpe Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said the office had also not received any complaints about a bear near the inn.

The Inn of Jim Thorpe could not be reached Wednesday for comment.