Small bear spotted roaming central Harjavalta overnight
A small bear was seen moving through the streets of central Harjavalta during the night between Saturday and Sunday. The Southwest Finland Police Department received two reports of the animal, first near the fire station and later in the vicinity of Teollisuuskatu and Hiirikatu.
The sightings were confirmed as genuine after police reviewed a recording taken by a bystander (Yle). Officers arrived at the scene shortly after midnight to secure the area and guide the bear away from populated areas. According to the police, the bear was already moving independently and was roughly the size of a German Shepherd, though its exact age could not be determined (Yle).
No further sightings were reported during the night, and authorities confirmed that the situation did not pose a danger to bystanders (Ilta-Sanomat). The police coordinated with large game emergency assistance and the local game management association’s predator liaison officer to manage the incident (Iltalehti).
Authorities urge caution around bears
While the bear did not display threatening behavior, police emphasized that bears should never be approached under any circumstances. A bear moving in an urban area should be reported to the emergency center, even if it appears calm (Yle).
Bears may enter populated areas in search of easily accessible food, particularly young individuals that may behave atypically for their species (Ilta-Sanomat). In the wild, bears typically avoid humans, but they can become dangerous if startled or if a person comes between a mother and her cubs (Iltalehti).
