An Unwelcome Visitor
Seeing a bear in your backyard is certainly an unforgettable moment, but once that shock dies down, it might be replaced with anxiety or fear. But during this time, it's crucial that you stay calm and sensible. To make sure you know how to handle the situation should it ever arise, here are five tips you should follow.
1. Stay Indoors and Keep Your Distance
The last thing you should do if you see a bear in your backyard is to go and confront it. Stay inside and make sure everyone else at home does the same. The bear might just be passing through and will be gone in no time! If you're going to watch, make sure it's at a safe distance and from a secure location.
2. Bring Pets Inside Immediately
If you have pets at home and they're roaming around outside, you need to find a way to quickly and quietly bring them indoors. This is important to keep them safe, but also, dogs in particular might bark or run towards the bear which can create tension.
3. Do Not Offer Food
Wild bears are not like pets; you shouldn't intentionally feed them! You also don't want to leave food sources like bird feeders, pet food, or garbage bins open and at their disposal. Removing these temptations will help reduce unwanted wildlife attention.
4. Make Controlled Noise If Necessary
If the bear lingers too long or approaches too closely, you can consider making firm, deliberate noise from inside or from a secure location to encourage them to leave. A loud voice, a whistle, or banging on a solid surface can help.
5. Contact Local Wildlife Authorities
If the bear continues to stay around, seems injured, or behaves unusually, your next move is to contact local wildlife officials or animal control that are better equipped to handle the situation. It's always better to report a concern than to attempt to manage it yourself.
