RI Residents Encouraged To Remove Backyard Food Sources For Bears

PROVIDENCE, RI — Spring has returned to Rhode Island, and with it backyard black bear sightings. The state's Department of Environmental Management encouraged residents to take steps to keep bears out of their yards by removing easy food sources.

Bears are generally shy, the department explained, avoiding interactions with humans for the most part. In the spring, however, they are more likely to seek out alternate food sources such as bird feeders or chicken coops until their usual food sources become more available.

"Bears can become dependent on readily available backyard food sources and quickly become a nuisance," the DEM said. "Black bears have an excellent sense of smell and will investigate odors they identify as an easy meal — and will regularly frequent a site once a food source is identified."

Rhode Islanders are encouraged to take the following steps to keep themselves — and wildlife — safe.

• Remove bird feeders by early April, and don't put them back up until at least November.
• Avoid feeding pets outside. If you do feed pets outside, bring dishes in at night.
• Store birdseed, livestock feed and garbage inside.
• Take garbage out for pickup the morning of collection, rather than the night before.
• Keep grills clean of grease. Avoid composting grease or meat scraps.
• Use an electric fence around chicken coops, rabbit hutches, beehives and livestock pens.
• Move livestock into a barn at night.

Most importantly, the department urged residents to never feed bears. Adult males generally weigh about 150 to 450 pounds, while females weigh from 100 to 250 pounds.

If you do see a bear in your backyard, the DEM advises residents to:

• Report sighting to the DEM's Division of Law Enforcement at 222-3070. The department is working with local police departments to track bear sightings in neighborhoods.
• Do not panic: bears are rarely aggressive towards humans. Remove any food source from the yard after the bear leaves.
• If you surprise a bear, do not run away. Walk away slowly, while facing the bear.

Black bears are protected animals in Rhode Island, and it is illegal to initially feed or shoot one.

Read more about bears on the DEM's website.