Warm Days, Stirring Bruins Remind Alaskans to be Bear Aware
April 07, 2016
“We had a report the other day of a grizzly out around Nordale Road,” said Jesse Dunshie, a fish and wildlife technician in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Fairbanks office. That was one of a couple bear-related calls he’s received in recent days. A Black Bear in 2015 at Herring Cove, north of Ketchikan. Indeed, unseasonably mild weather may be rousing bears earlier than usual in some parts of the state. In Anchorage, black bears have been spotted in several areas around the city. Reports in Kodiak have included sightings of brown bear sows and yearling cubs which normally don’t appear until later in the season. And in Southeast, recent warm days have skunk cabbage and other wild greens blooming, setting the stage for bears there to start moving any day. In light of these early signs, Gov. Bill Walker has proclaimed April Bear Awareness Month. The official proclamation recognizes that “our state abounds in bear country,” and that “April is a good time to remind Alaskans about bears, their behavior, and how we can live responsibly and safely in bear country.” Anchorage Area Wildlife Biologist Dave Battle agrees. “Right now is the time to be proactive,” he said, “before we start getting a lot of calls and complaints. Take down bird feeders and clean up any seed, trash or pet food left out over the winter.” Bears that associate homes and people with food, often return. Feeding bears, even unintentionally, is illegal and leaving attractants out around homes, cabins or camps in a manner that attracts bears can result in fines. To prevent drawing bears, bird feeders should be kept down at least through October. Pet and livestock foods, trash and other bear attractants should be gathered and stored in a secure, closed building or in bear-resistant containers. Owners of poultry, goats and other small livestock can discourage hungry bears by erecting electric fences. Some tips to remember as bears become active include the following:
Moose carcasses emerging from melting snows can attract bears in the spring, said Kenai Area Wildlife Biologist Jeff Selinger. “We had 70 to 80 moose reported hit by vehicles over the winter and not recovered,” he said. Brown bears tend to be particularly defensive of these food sources and carcasses that appear near trails or in populated areas can create hazards. Selinger suggests property owners, hikers and others stay alert for these winterkills and avoid them. Incidents of bears frequenting carcasses in neighborhoods or other populated areas, getting into trash, showing aggression, or related concerns should be reported to the nearest Department of Fish and Game office during regular business hours; if the situation involves an immediate public safety concern, contact the Alaska State Troopers. “So many situations go unreported, or we hear rumors days later via social media,” said Dave Battle in Anchorage. “We want to know any time brown bears are seen in town or populated areas, and people should let us know whenever they see bears in trash or feeding on human provided food.” To learn more about coexisting with bears,visit www.alaskabears.alaska.gov. The governor’s “Bear Awareness Month” proclamation is available online at http://gov.alaska.gov/newsroom/2016/04/bear-awareness-month-2/.
Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews
Source of News:
Representations of fact and opinions in comments posted below are solely those of the individual posters and do not represent the opinions of Sitnews.
|