Wildlife officers in Connecticut are warning residents in opposition to feeding bears notably over the subsequent few months because the animals step up their hunt for the additional meals they are going to want earlier than hibernating for the winter.
Based on the Connecticut Division of Vitality and Environmental Safety (DEEP) throughout fall, bears forage for calorie-packed nuts and seeds for as much as 20 hours a day in a race in opposition to the clock. This annual power-eating marathon known as hyperphagia. Throughout hyperphagia, bears have to eat 20,000 energy a day, which is 10 occasions the energy they usually eat.
Their objective is to placed on as a lot weight and insulating fats as doable earlier than delivering for the winter. However it’s harmful for each bears and people if people make it simple for bears to seek out meals.
“Black bears ought to by no means be fed – both deliberately or unintentionally,” stated Jenny Dickson, DEEP wildlife division director. “Bears which might be drawn to properties by simply accessible meals lose their concern of people. Bears which might be rewarded by simple meals spend extra time in neighborhoods and close to individuals, growing dangers to public security, the probability of property harm, and the likelihood that the bears could also be hit and killed by autos.”
The state has already tracked a document variety of bears breaking into properties, with 69 incidents this yr far surpassing the earlier document of 45 in 2020.
Dickson provides that it takes many hours of foraging every day for bears to seek out 20,000 energy’ value of nuts and berries. However only one hen feeder filled with sunflower seed or one rubbish container with leftovers can reward a bear with a day’s value of energy for lower than an hour’s work, making human-provided meals much more tempting.
The bears face a selected problem this yr. Based on state agricultural specialists, Connecticut skilled a widespread acorn crop failure on this season. Fall acorns are an vital meals supply for black bears and the dearth of acorns this yr will trigger bears to search for different meals sources, together with human-associated meals, which officers fear might add to rising public security issues related to their persevering with inhabitants enlargement.
The black bear inhabitants in Connecticut is estimated to be better than 1,000, and bears could be present in any of the state’s 169 cities.
Because the bear inhabitants continues to develop, and bears change into more and more meals conditioned, officers are involved that conflicts with people will proceed to extend. This can be a drawback as a result of food-conditioned bears pose a better threat to themselves in addition to public security, and infrequently trigger extra property harm to homes, vehicles, pets, and livestock.
With two months remaining within the yr, DEEP stated it has already tracked a document variety of bears breaking into properties, with 69 incidents this yr far surpassing the earlier document of 45 in 2020.
Finest Practices
DEEP has a number of finest practices for residents to cut back the probability of an encounter with a bear, obtainable on-line on DEEP’s “Dwelling with Black Bears” web site. DEEP has additionally created a video incorporating many of those finest practices.
Rule #1 is to make each dwelling and yard a no-food-zone for bears. Crucial step is to take away meals attractants, reminiscent of hen seed and unsecured rubbish.
One other tip is to oversee canines always when outdoors. Canine needs to be stored on a brief leash. A roaming canine could be perceived as a risk to a bear or its cubs.
Within the uncommon occasion when a bear seems to be aggressive towards individuals, residents ought to instantly contact DEEP’s 24-hour dispatch line at 860-424-3333.
Bear sightings reported by the general public present worthwhile data to help DEEP in monitoring adjustments within the black bear inhabitants. Anybody who observes a black bear in Connecticut is inspired to report the sighting on DEEP’s web site or name the Wildlife Division at 860-424-3011. Data on the presence or absence of ear tags, together with tag coloration and numbers, is especially worthwhile.
Sources: DEEP and BearWise.
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