A black bear’s stroll through downtown Frederick goes viral

Talk about a bear of a shopping trip.

A black bear was spotted in downtown Frederick over the weekend, strolling along the city’s bustling Market Street, an area known for its restaurants and shops.

Videos of the bear went viral on social media; in them, the bear stands up to look through a window before continuing along the commercial road.

Frederick Police officers responded to reports of a bear around 1 a.m. Sunday, according to Jennifer Gerlock, the city’s manager of public affairs. Officers worked with Frederick County Animal Control and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to monitor the bear from a safe distance.

Officers watched the bear on Market Street for about an hour before it left the area without incident, Gerlock said.

“We have received no further calls regarding the bear and hope it has returned to its natural habitat and is no longer in the area,” Gerlock said in an email.

Black bear sightings in busy Maryland suburbs are becoming increasingly common. In 2025, a bear was spotted in neighborhoods and shopping centers in Howard, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties before officials captured and relocated it.

The state’s population of black bears, which historically congregate in the westernmost counties, is likely growing and expanding eastward, according to the Department of Natural Resources. A larger population means bears need to travel farther for resources since they are territorial.

Black bears often scout for a new home come summer, as male bears are usually kicked out of their den and left on their own once they reach 18 months of age. Suburban areas with unsupervised trash bins and some green space are basically smorgasbords for bears.

Avoid attracting bears to your yard

While bear attacks are rare in Maryland, the natural resources department recommends Marylanders take measures to avoid bear visits.

• Remove bird feeders from yards from summer through November. Birds will have plenty of resources to keep them fed.
• Take the trash out only on trash day, and try to leave as few food scraps as possible.
• Don’t leave pet food out, and avoid leaving pet bowls unattended.
• Cooking grills should be clean of any residue and stored inside a shed or building when not in use.

There are also plenty of people to call if you want to report a sighting. The state directs people to call the Department of Natural Resources at 410-260-8888 in case of bear-related emergencies.