Yogi Bear made a successful career of scheming and taking picnic baskets.

Popping onto televisions across the country every Saturday morning, his hijinks were certainly entertaining, and became an iconic part of Americana.

In recent weeks, residents in the southwest portion of the county may have had a brief scare and then a chuckle as they watched young bear cubs meander through their communities. But residents should not be fooled by the antics of the famous cartoon, and remember that there is a real danger when the bears are spotted.

Last week, a cub was spotted eating from a bird feeder in Cranberry Township. Perched on his hind legs, he visited a residence on Woodlawn Road for a quick breakfast before returning to the woods.

On Wednesday, another bear was seen in downtown Mars near several businesses. One resident reported seeing the curious cub standing on the railroad tracks on its hind legs, looking to the sky. It eventually continued on its journey away from town.

In both instances, residents took to social media to share photos and stories of spotting the fury visitors. They estimated the cubs to be no more than 150 pounds, which according to state Game Commission representatives means they’re around 18 months old.

It also means they likely recently were kicked out of their packs by their mothers, and are fending for themselves for the first time. They’re not only searching for a place to call home, they’re searching for a meal.

With the explosion of development that is ongoing in this portion of the county, rural or wooded areas are becoming less and less prominent, forcing them to travel closer to residential areas.

Often, they’ll go wherever they can find a food source, their sense of smell guiding them. Things like uncleaned grills, unemptied garbage and leftover pet food, however small it may be, can be enough to attract a cub into a resident’s backyard. As Chip Brunst, information and education supervisor with the Game Commission put it, “they think they found heaven.”

While it may not seem like a big deal as residents watch from a distance, it is crucial to remember that a bear lingering in a neighborhood can have real consequences.

There is obvious danger to human life when a hungry animal is roaming a residential neighborhood. However, there are also less dramatic negative outcomes.

If a game commissioner visits a home where bears have been feasting, there is a possibility they could fine or cite the homeowner if he or she is not doing due diligence to remove the items that attracted the animals in the first place.

On a much smaller scale, some residents have shared that they fear for their family’s ability to safely be outside knowing bears could be lurking around a corner.

We encourage residents to be vigilant in keeping their property free of the things that could attract unwanted visitors. We also hope it goes without saying that residents should keep their distance if a bear is spotted in their area. As one Mars resident succinctly put it, “Let them be.”