Bear encounter

I grew up in the South Hills and enjoyed many activities in South Park during my childhood and never heard of anyone seeing a black bear there.

Early Wednesday morning, at 3 a.m., I spotted a mother black bear and cubs while taking an early morning walk with my flashlight down a long, narrow and dark road deep in the woods near the South Park golf course.

I heard a noise and flashed my light on what I thought were three sets of small raccoon eyes

I got closer to take a photograph of the eyes with my camera phone and heard a rustling noise, then a very loud growl. My body immediately tensed up and I knew that it was definitely not raccoons.

I flashed my light into the woods when I discovered the black mother bear and cubs. I moved away from the side of the road and flashed my light. It was a black bear standing sideways and two little ones next to it.

I turned off my light and hurried down the road, thankful it did not attack me.

I was frightened after hearing the growl of the mother black bear and knew most people around here, especially children, who encountered a mother bear while walking, biking or playing in the woods during the day would be frightened. It's important to let the residents of the South Hills know about this so we can keep people safe.

MATTHEW AMOROSO
Bethel Park