by Timothy Rutt
Altadena sheriff deputies took a picture of this mama bear and her cubs cooling off in Kinneloa Mesa last week.
The smell of trash is driving hungry bears further into town (there've been sightings in Pasadena this week) and the prospect of cool pools and hot tubs brings them down the hill looking for relief. In light of the growing number of bear sightings, the California Department of Fish and Game has issued the following advice about living in bear country:
Bears and other animals are attracted to anything edible or smelly.
- Store garbage in bear-proof containers, or store garbage in your garage until pick-up.
- Keep food indoors or in airtight and odor-free containers.
- Put away picnic leftovers; clean BBQ grills.
- Keep pet food inside, and bird feeders away.
- Pick up fallen tree fruit as soon as possible, or protect fruit trees with electric fencing.
- Remove cosmetic fragrances and other attractants, including bird feeders and compost piles.
- Install or request bear-proof trash containers.
Bear Country Precautions
- Keep a close watch on children, and teach them what to do if they encounter a bear.
- While hiking, make noise to avoid a surprise encounter with a bear.
- Never keep food in your tent.
- Store food and toiletries in bear-proof containers or in an airtight container in the trunk of your vehicle.
- Keep a clean camp by cleaning up and storing food and garbage immediately after meals.
- Use bear-proof garbage cans whenever possible or store your garbage in a secure location with your food.
- Never approach a bear or pick up a bear cub.
- If you encounter a bear, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to appear as large as possible.
- If attacked, fight back.
- If a bear attacks a person, immediately call 911.
When wild animals are allowed to feed on human food and garbage, they lose their natural ways – often resulting in death for the animal.
