There have been at least six black bear sightings near Portland’s Forest Park in the past week, and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) is asking people living nearby to lock up their trashcans.
ODFW says one person has come in contact with the bear on a Forest Park trail, but it ran away. Another sighting was reported just north of the area near Logie Trail Road last weekend.
They say this bear is going after food in trash cans near homes, which prompted the state to hand out information warning people to be ‘bear aware.’
“This one is displaying some concerning behavior in that it is seeking out human food sources,” said Ben Cate, a district wildlife biologist with ODFW.
Homeowners living in the area should manage any food attractants outside of the home to not reward the bear.
“The more that it becomes conditioned to human food sources, the more likely that it’s going to start displaying more concerning behaviors, like loss of wariness to people,” said Cate.
At this point it’s unclear if there’s one or more bears, but it is clear that hunger is driving its behavior.
“After bears wake up from hibernation and before there’s a lot of natural food sources on the landscape, like berries and any natural food--anything that they’re eating. And so they’re especially hungry,” Cate continued.
Charles Berry and Kim Roache got word of the sightings a couple days ago, so they were keeping their eyes out on their bike ride Friday afternoon.
“We’ve come across bears in other areas and you just let them go their way and we go our way and everybody’s happy,” Roache said.
“Don’t feed it that leads to a bad end for the bear,” Berry said.
Signs have been posted in the park to warn visitors of the potential dangers of an encounter.
They say people should stay calm, don’t run, and make yourself appear larger.
- Make noise when hiking so as not to surprise a bear.
- If you see a bear, leave the area.
- Stay far away from cubsmother is nearby.
- Leash dogs. A loose dog may lead a bear back to you.
- Don’t hike after dark.
- Consider carrying bear spray in areas known to have bears