School was delayed for an hour on Monday morning in Arlington, Massachusetts, as authorities worked to track down a bear spotted in the town.
The bear was later spotted around 2 p.m. on Pleasant Street in Lexington around Wilson Farm. Video captured by NBC10 Boston showed the animal romping around outside near a greenhouse.
The Arlington Police Department first said around 6 a.m. that it was investigating a possible black bear sighting in the area of Scituate Street and Spring Avenue. A couple of sightings had been reported, including one around 7 a.m. in the area of Paul Revere Road and Park Avenue.
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An email to parents from Arlington Superintendent of Schools Dr. Elizabeth Homan said that the multiple bear sightings were in Arlington Heights around the area of Dallin, Brackett and Peirce elementary schools.
Police initially focused their search to within a mile perimeter.
School was delayed for an hour amid the reports, and police were dispatched to the area of all schools.
"Please exercise caution in going to school this morning, as we have not yet confirmed that the bear has left Arlington," the note from Homan said. "If you can avoid walking your child to school, please consider driving or carpooling, particularly if you live in the Arlington Heights area."
Students were in class as of 9 a.m., police said.
Homan said students would be inside for recess and other activities throughout the school day until officials learn the whereabouts of the bear.
"So, I mean, it definitely disrupted the normal routine," said Anjali Sakaria, a parent whose children normally walk to school.
"There's a lot of wildlife around here, so we jsut have to learn to live with them," parent Jill Brown added. "But if kids are walking to school and are unaware, that's the only concern I have."
An animal control officer has been working with Massachusetts Environmental Police to try and find the black bear.
Anyone who spots the animal was asked to call Arlington police dispatch at 781-643-1212.
Police in nearby Newton had issued an advisory to residents on Sunday after a black bear was spotted in the Newton Highlands area near Cold Springs Park.
Police even shared a video on Facebook that showed the bear running through someone's front yard, very close to two parked vehicles and the home's front door.
The mayor also shared a photo on Facebook showing the bear in the Cold Springs Park area.
