Bear with us: PA Black Bear den webcam goes live

The Pennsylvania Game Commission launched a live webcam on a bear den under a porch in Monroe County this week.

It’s the same den where the commission installed a webcam two years ago. The adult bear hibernating there currently could be the same one, the commission said in a press release.

Female black bears typically breed and have cubs every two years. The commission believes there’s at least one cub in the den.

Typically, cubs are born in mid-January and emerge from their dens in the first week of April, according to the commission. During hibernation, bears are alert and active but don’t leave the den or eat or drink.

“Bear dens often are well hidden, and even if you knew where one was, you wouldn’t want to stick your head in there for a look at what’s going on,” said Travis Lau, commission spokesman.

“But with the livestream, you can see all of the activity, day and night,” he said.

The commission has four wildlife webcams planned to run into the spring including live coverage of the bear den, two bald eagle nests and snow goose migration.

“We were unsure if the opportunity would arise again for the live bear den cam,” said HDonTap Co-Founder and CEO Tim Sears. The company headquartered in Del Mar, Calif., works with the commission to provide the camera and livestream.

“Watching the female and her cub was such a joy in 2019, it quickly became one of our staff’s favorite cams to watch,” he said.

All Game Commission livestreams can be accessed through the agency’s website.

The livestreams are a collaborative effort by the Game Commission, HDOnTap and Comcast Business.