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« Entwistle fails to block his trial in wife, daughter's deaths | Today | Reporter's query: Did you get caught in house price drop? » May 30, 2008Black bears and youIn case you haven’t heard, there may be a black bear meandering through South County. With all of the publicity, the Department of Environmental Management has decided to issue some tips on how to live alongside bears: Fist thing’s first. Bears like food that’s accessible and reliable. Who doesn't? If the garbage is left out, a bear will keep coming back for more. If the grill is still dripping with grease from Memorial Day, the bear will sniff you out. And as one Narragansett resident already knows –– black bears can eat some bird seed. So, according to DEM, keep garbage out of sight, in sheds and garages, or double bag your trash. Clean your grill, it will make your food taste better too. And there’s plenty of food for birds without birdseed, especially from April to November, so DEM recommends taking down the bird feeders. For more tips on life with your new, wild neighbors, download this .PDF brochure from the DEM, or click below. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson The DEM also says the animals, fierce as they can be, "generally shy and secretive, and usually fearful of humans." This doesn't mean, of course, that they're not dangerous, but according to DEM, it's safe to make loud noises and waive your hands to scare one away from a safe distance -- but remember, the bars can climb trees, swim and run up to 35 mph. Keep that in mind when considering a safe distance. If, in a reverse of fortune, you happen to surprise a bear and it's at close range, back away slowly. But don't make eye contact! It may be perceived as a threat. The animals are typically nocturnal, with poor eyesight, decent hearing and a keen sense of smell. They eat grass, leaves, fruit, nuts and berries, according to DEM, and will sometimes eat small mammals and insects. But without a supply of food, bears are likely to leave the suburbs and head back to the forest. So keep food under wraps, and you and the bears should get along just fine. Posted by Brandie Jefferson CommentsLynn Price | June 3, 2008 4:06 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
We lived in New Mexico for 15 years. Bear were a part of our life there.
Where exactly would they relocate a bear to if one is picked up in Narragansett? Bears are seen skirting wooded areas. That is where they belong.
Leave them alone.
They do enter communities, but if you leave them alone and keep food out of their reach (and small pets safe) they want nothing to do with you.
A good warning, based on experience.
If you keep a small dog confined to a deck or fenced area, a bear can enter and pets do get eaten. If bird seed attracts a bear and there is a pet nearby, it is not good news for the pet. Keep small dogs and cats inside, or with access to inside. There are a lot of sad stories out west on this subject.