Need to Know: Black Bear Breaks Into Nursing Home in Pennsylvania
In an unusual incident on the night of June 3, Presbyterian Senior Living in Indiana, Pennsylvania, faced an unexpected intruder when a juvenile black bear smashed through a window looking for food. The break-in occurred just after 11 p.m., prompting staff and residents to spring into action.
Charlene Elliot, a nurse at the facility, acted swiftly to protect the elderly residents, recalling, “I grabbed a walker and was hitting him, trying to get him away from the residents.” Her greatest fear was that the bear could cause harm to the residents. To safely lure the bear away, staff used Rice Krispies Treats, ultimately guiding the 150-pound cub out of the facility without any injuries reported.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission arrived shortly thereafter to set a humane trap for the bear, which was successfully relocated by June 4. Officials noted that while there are an estimated 18,000 black bears in Pennsylvania, encounters with humans are rare, as they are typically more curious than aggressive.
Elliot expressed pride in her swift actions, stating, “I feel I went above and beyond for my residents… I would put my life on the line for them.” Presbyterian Senior Living commended the staff’s quick thinking and commitment to community safety. To prevent future wildlife incidents, all bird feeders on the campus were removed.
This incident serves as a reminder of the closeness of human and wildlife habitats and the need for precautions to ensure safety for both.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
