KGMI News
By Tracy Ellis
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Black bears are roaming around Whatcom County.
People report seeing bears recently is several different neighborhoods.
Rocky Spencer with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife says the main reasons black bears roam into neighborhoods are trash, pet food, bird feeders, and improper storage of food while camping.
“Many of these bears might relocate. Maybe they’ve never been exposed to garbage before, and just this one time, you leave your garbage out. And now they come in and become a problem, and then we have to relocate that bear. It may have been in that area for four, five or six years and been a very good neighbor. So our actions can make a lot of difference in helping bears.”
Some people leave food out for bears so they can take pictures of them.
Spencer says that’s a bad idea for several different reasons.
If you encounter a bear or cougar, and it’s not an emergency, contact the the Department of Fish and Wildlife.