Bear Sighted in Purchase

Several people have spotted a bear in the Purchase and West Harrison area over the last week.

The bear was first seen wandering around the Master Card corporate office late last week, then on the Manhattanville College campus and most recently near the Westchester County Airport.

"Anybody who has seen him has said he is very calm and just wandering around," said Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh, adding that the bear has at no point threatened anyone in the area.

Although there have been numerous sightings, Walsh said that authorities believe that it has been the same bear in each separate sighting.

"The odds of having two bears is pretty low," she said.

Patrol cars are keeping an eye out for the bear. But as long as it doesn't pose a threat to residents or wander into an area that could compromise public safety Walsh said that authorities will not actively pursue the bear.