Another bear is spotted in Bucks County

Don't call it an invasion.

A black bear was spotted in central Bucks County on Wednesday morning - the third time in less than a month that a bear has been seen wandering through Philadelphia's suburbs.

This particular bear, first spotted Wednesday morning around Chalfont, had apparently made its way toward New Britain Township just before noon, where police were warning residents not to approach it.

From there, the Pennsylvania Game Commission said, the bear's trail went dark. It's possible the beast simply wandered back into the wilderness on its own.

"This is becoming more and more common," said Cheryl Trewella, the commission's information and education supervisor for the southeast region. "This time of year, this is just kind of what [bears] do, so we're all prepared."

Pennsylvania's black bear population has nearly quadrupled since the 1970s, and bears have reestablished themselves in upper Bucks County.

That's causing more bears to wander into suburban areas during their early-summer ritual of looking for free space to eat and establish a den, Trewella said.

A wildlife conservation officer was monitoring reports of bear sightings throughout the day Wednesday, and a trap was moved to a nearby outpost in case the bear slowed its suburban exploration and needed help getting back safely into the woods.

But as dusk approached, Trewella said the agency hadn't gotten a call since about lunchtime, which she said was a good sign.

"It just means he's not getting into trouble," she said of the bear. "And it may just mean he's heading out" and back to a more natural bear habitat.

Anyone who sees a black bear is encouraged to stay clear of it, and call the Game Commission at 610-926-3136.