Video of a black bear roaming around Columbia, Md. is raising questions about safety if you find yourself near one of the animals.
The video was recorded by Nathen Ferguson near Oakland Mills Road and Cradle Rock Way.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources states on its website that having black bears around is not an immediate threat, and like all wild animals, black bears should be treated with respect and given space.
Fox45 spoke to Brian Eyler, Associate Director of Wildlife and Heritage Service at the Maryland DNR about what residents can do if they encounter a bear.
“The best advice is black bears are generally docile. They’re not aggressive animals. If you encounter one, the best thing to do is give it space," Eyler said.
Bears will display certain behaviors when threatened.
“If they feel like they don’t have an escape route, they will give you warning signs. They may lower their head and shake their head at you. They’ll woof or huff at you, swipe the ground with a paw. It will be very obvious.”
Bears are usually seen in residential areas when they are looking for food, according to Eyler.
“The best way to be proactive to minimize the chances of having an encounter is to remove any and all food attractants from your property or the community. When these bears fill up in backyards, they’re looking for food, unsecured trash, BBQ grills.” Elyer said.
Elyer said the reason for seeing so many bears is because the bear population is growing. Breeding season occurs from June through July, and bears breed on a two-year cycle. The young ones get displaced and they have to find their own place.
“They’re just out trying to find an area where a big male bear won’t beat them up,” Eyler states.
Residents can see bears all across Maryland, possibly even in Baltimore County.
“Anywhere that we have bear habitat is fair game. There is habitat in Baltimore County that can support bears.”
The Maryland DNR tries not to remove bears from areas.
“We don’t relocate bears. If a bear gets into a situation where it absolutely can’t find its own way out, we will do that. But we prefer to allow the bear to find its own way out of situations.”
It's very difficult to trap them because they move quite a distance. It’s very rarely the same location unless there’s a good food source. For us to try and trap one, the success rate isn’t really high.” Elyer adds.
Elyer adds people in Garrett County live with bears every day, with generally no problems.
Other tips listed on the DNR’s website include:
- Don’t panic. Don’t shoot! Don’t approach. Don’t feed!
- Make the bear aware of your presence by talking in a firm voice
- Ensure the bear has an escape route, so give it space, and keep domestic animals away.
- Back away slowly with your arms raised up to appear large.
- Have all people and pets go inside to wait for the bear to leave.
Remember to never intentionally feed bears. It’s illegal in Maryland, and it is dangerous for you and the bear.
Residents can report sightings to the DNR.