Bear Activity, Summer 2009

[Janiece Meek]

August 23, 2009 ( Sunday )


Kenilworth Residents,

Our bear continues to make his "rounds". Seen this morning on Finalee, Caledonia and Lenoir. He is a beautiful animal with a shiny black coat and I would say 200 - 250 pounds.

Keep your distance from the bear, and by all means DO NOT feed him. Bring in bird feeders and pet food until he moves on. Tie garbage bags closed to cut down on food smells.

If this bear gets too comfortable with people, it will be the end of him.

"A fed bear is a dead bear" as Park Rangers say. Enjoy his presence but do not alter his natural foraging by feeding him.

Let me know if you have seen him.

Robert Maddix

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK "VIEW DISCUSSIONS"

[Janiece Meek]

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SEE A BLACK BEAR (from Yosemite National Park and Canadian government,Gatineau Park)

Being responsible can save lives and not following black bear safety rules can cause a bear to die.

If you see a bear anywhere else, keep your distance (at least 50 yards, or about the distance four shuttle buses parked end to end would take up). If you get closer, you will be helping the bear become used to being around people.

THE BLACK BEAR’S BEHAVIOR WILL INFORM YOU OF ITS INTENTIONS
Black bears sometimes stand up on their back paws to see better. They also lift their noses to smell better. These behaviors, even if they are accompanied by low growling, are not signs of aggression. However, chattering of teeth or loud blowing should be considered warnings. If the black bear hits the ground or hits objects with its paws, or if it looks like it’s going to charge, it is clearly showing that it does not want you on its territory.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU MEET A BLACK BEAR?
Although they are not normally aggressive, black bears are still wild animals. If you happen to meet one, do not try to approach it. Calmly back up, without running, while keeping an eye on the bear. Let it know that you are there by making noise or by talking in a calm, steady voice. Do not be aggressive. The black bear must not feel attacked. If there are young children with you, take them in your arms. Try to look bigger than you really are — for example, by lifting up your arms and grouping together if there are several people. If the bear follows you, drop some things to distract it. If it continues to follow or seems aggressive, try to scare it off while you move away — without losing visual contact. Make large movements with what you have handy. Yell and make noise. Your goal is to impress the bear. You must always make sure the black bear can move away. It must not feel caught or trapped. As well, you should not get between a female and her young. Even though they are not normally aggressive, female bears are protective of their young.
If you see a black bear in a campground or near human installations, stay calm. If necessary, find shelter in a building
or vehicle, and try to scare off the bear by making noise.

IF THE BLACK BEAR ATTACKS
It is extremely rare for black bears to attack humans. In fact, the probability of being hit by lightning is greater than that of
being attacked by a black bear. If a black bear does attack:

• Do not play dead: This technique may work if you’re facing a grizzly bear, but it probably won’t work with a black bear.

• Defend yourself: Struggle, yell, hit the bear with a stone, a stick or a paddle. An energetic and vigorous defense increases your chances of making the black bear leave.

[Tim Thomas]

I was walking my dog yesterday morning on Forest Hill towards the park and a family stopped and said that the bear was in the park. When I got to the edge of the park there were quite a few people gathered looking into the woods at park edge who had also seen him.