The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is receiving reports of bears wandering around Nikiski and Cooper Landing.
Alaskans are reporting bear tracks in their yards and sightings of black and brown bears.
“I just want to remind folks that with this unusual winter, just be extra bear-aware. Go ahead and break out that bear spray if you’re planning to go out and hike.” Says Jacob Pelham, a Wildlife Biologist for the ADFG.
There are also reports of bears in Arctic Valley in Anchorage.
Black bears’ usual hibernation cycle involves burying themselves in holes made from uprooted soil from trees that have been tipped over or down mountains where the soil might be softer, and the snow covers them. As the weather gets warmer, the bears are disturbed, which causes them to come out of the holes, looking for any kind of food.
“There’s not much. Their food isn’t running around out there, except maybe the moose they might be able to grab. But you know those moose are pretty energetic right now. Moose are able to get to all their food. So it will be a large energetic expenditure for these bears to get to a moose or Caribou or something like that.” Pelham says.
Pelham wants to remind people that they shouldn’t be easy on these animals because they are wild animals, and they can hurt you if they choose to.
“For them, it’s a flip of a switch. You might be taking pictures of this animal, and you may think they’re comfortable, and in a split second, you could have the animal on top of you… Whenever you are thinking about approaching wildlife, don’t.” Pelham warns.
He advises that you should always have and know your escape routes. With bears, make yourself big, stand your ground, have some kind of deterrent such as bear spray or a firearm, and don’t run from them.
Pelham says if you’re not hunting, you want to make a lot of noise to announce your presence. “When you go out in the woods in Alaska, or any bear country, you could come across a potentially dangerous situation, or for any wild animal for that matter. All you can do is take the steps to give yourself the best chance for success.”
Finally, he warns residents to also be aware of attractants such as trash. “Pick your trash up and keep bears out of your neighborhoods.”