Tiffani Baublitz

Contributing Writer

East Stroudsburg University students and staff have grown accustomed to sharing the campus with a variety of animals, from deer and foxes to the occasional black bear. Encounters with these creatures are a normal part of campus life.

On any given day, students might see a herd of deer grazing near the University Ridge Apartments or crossing the street at dusk. Deer are a common sight on campus and seem to have adapted to the daily routine of classes, vehicles and foot traffic.

Perhaps the most unique sightings are the bears. Reports of black bears wandering near dorms or dumpsters surface nearly every semester. This fall, one bear in particular has become the talk of campus.

Unlike last year’s mother bear seen with her cubs, this year’s visitor roams alone, being spotted late at night near the academic quad. Campus Police and Residence Life have issued reminders urging students to secure their trash and avoid approaching wildlife.

Other notable sightings include the foxes that dart through the wooded trail beside the rugby fields and the feral cats that lounge near the athletic complex. ESU’s squirrels are hefty and fearless, scurrying across benches, sidewalks, and busy roads with utmost confidence. At nightfall, raccoons and opossums often emerge near trash areas.

When talking about the wildlife on campus, one cannot forget the birds. The Biology Department maintains a Checklist of the Birds of East Stroudsburg University a resource that helps students and visitors identify the bird species they are likely to see throughout the year. From red-tailed hawks circling above to songbirds perched near residence halls, the skies are just as lively as the ground below.

As Dwight Schrute from “The Office” once quipped, “It’s a cow farm, there are going to be cows outside.” (“The Office,” Season 4, Episode 13, 2008.) The same logic applies here. East Stroudsburg University is located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, and wildlife is a part of the environment.

Encounters with wildlife can be amusing, but university officials remind students to keep a respectful distance. The Pennsylvania Game Commission advises never to feed wild animals and to report any aggressive behavior to campus security. As the semester continues, the wildlife at East Stroudsburg University serves as a reminder that the campus isn’t just home to students.

Helpful Links:

Wildlife and Habitat Group | Green Campus Initiatives | ESU

Wildlife Health | Game Commission | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Environmental Health & Safety | University Police | ESU

Six Things You Can Do For Wildlife | Game Commission | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania