Last week, the area was abuzz thanks to the arrival of a very unexpected visitor. A black bear was spotted near Britton last Thursday, June 1.
The bear was observed that morning a half mile south of 422nd Avenue/SD 10 on a home security camera system. Authorities were alerted. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management, the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Game, Fish and Parks then kept tabs on the bear until it went into a tree to rest. As of the next morning the bear was observed near the county line east of Hecla.
“The main goal was to keep it out of town,” said Emergency Management Director Logan Roehr. “Out of concern for its own safety, the bear was carefully observed to make sure nothing was medically wrong with it. Units positioned themselves to keep it out of town for the animal and human safety.”
Roehr added that an alert was sent to all cellphones in the area advising of the situation.
While the bear excitement was short-lived, Britton folks took advantage of the situation. Several businesses offered specials to any bears that should visit that day. Many photos of the bear joining in on Britton area activities popped up on social media. The bear ‘enjoyed’ the swimming pool and even posed for a photo with a local baseball team.
A moose last fall and now a bear. What interesting wildlife will next visit Marshall County, do you suppose?
