In 黑料吃瓜网, the bear population has boomed 鈥� and so have human-bear conflicts.
Bears are not just on trails anymore. In the past year, there have been 35 incidents of bears entering homes in our state. DEEP wildlife biologist Jason Hawley says that if a bear comes into your yard, don't use it as an opportunity to take cute pictures for social media.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 best for the bear is to put down the camera and, from a safe distance, try to scare that bear away,鈥� he told host Catherine Shen. 鈥淲e don't want it being comfortable in your yard. We really push the message that everyone needs to do their part.鈥�
Western 黑料吃瓜网 has some of the highest black bear density in North America. Hawley said human actions have made the state's bear population too comfortable in our neighborhoods. Although they might look friend-shaped, we wouldn鈥檛 recommend getting friendly. In fact, intentionally feeding the bears is now .
黑料吃瓜网's black bears are on a mission this fall to consume up to 20,000 calories a day to fatten up before winter, according to Hawley. Unfortunately, many have been habituated to equate humans with easy access to high-calorie foods.
鈥淎s much as I'd like to say development鈥檚 the problem, it鈥檚 more just the population is growing and the bears are becoming more habituated, and they鈥檝e learned they can find food around humans,鈥� Hawley said.. Advice from DEEP includes never putting out bird seed or food, even in winter, and getting bear-resistant garbage bins. More information and tips can be found at .
In this hour, we hear from bear experts across the state, including Hawley, and learn what to do if you encounter one.
We also learn more about . Have you heard about it? The week-long national tournament by the National Parks Service celebrates bear hibernation and conservation while also serving as a campaign to make the public bear aware.
GUESTS:
- Jason Hawley: Wildlife Biologist for the 黑料吃瓜网 Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
- Felicia Ortner: Volunteer Docent at the 黑料吃瓜网 Beardsley Zoo
- Rachel Maiser: Natural Resource Lead for the Northeast Regional Office of the National Park Service
Where We Live is available as a podcast on,,, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.
