Spring has sprung and the air temperature is not the only thing rising these days. The local black bear population is waking up and already making their way back into neighborhoods. In the wild, black bears tend to eat a diet comprised of vegetation including, grasses, berries, and leaves. Around 10% of their food source comes from meat, but as opportunistic feeders, if they find an easy food source, they will return. Nothing could be easier than human garbage, making it our responsibility as homeowners to protect them from consuming harmful trash.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife offers guidelines to keep bears from becoming a nuisance:
- Do not leave trash or recyclables outside overnight. If unavoidable, ensure you have a bear-proof refuse container set inside a bear-proof enclosure.
- Clean trash containers regularly with ammonia or bleach. Bears’ sense of smell is 100 times more sensitive than a human, and even empty receptacles can attract them.
- Do not feed bears or leave food out for any wildlife. This includes bird feeders.
- Clean barbeque grills after each use.
- Avoid putting any fruit or vegetables in compost piles.
- Do not leave food or trash inside a vehicle. Bears are known to break into cars.
- Keep windows and doors at ground level locked and secure, including vehicles.
Black bears are customarily shy creatures, and their instinct is to run from anything unfamiliar. If you do encounter a bear on your property or on a trail, stay calm, walk away, and try to avoid showing fear.
- Make sure the bear has a clear escape route.
- Avoid eye contact as this can be perceived as a threat.
- Do not get between a mother and her cubs. This is the one time a black bear may attack.
- In the unlikely event of a bear attack, fight back. You cannot outrun one, and they are great climbers.
For more information visit www.wildlife.state.co.us/bears. Call the Division of Wildlife local office in Steamboat, 970-870-2197
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