New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos on Friday announced that DEC is joining the BearWise campaign as a cooperative member state. BearWise was developed by biologists from state conservation agencies across the U.S. to ensure people, regardless of location, learn to live responsibly with bears. Using the “BearWise basics,” residents are encouraged to take simple steps at home or when recreating outdoors to avoid negative interactions with black bears.
“DEC biologists and technicians respond to hundreds of human-bear conflicts each year that are nearly all preventable,” Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “As New Yorkers head into the summer months, which is a busy time for bears, DEC encourages the public to practice the BearWise basics by removing things bears find attractive like pet food and trash to help reduce the potential for negative interactions.”
Black bears are most active throughout the spring and summer months and can be attracted to human-created food sources, especially during dry weather periods when natural food sources are scarce. The BearWise campaign recommends people take six basic steps to avoid attracting bears to areas around homes or neighborhoods:
- Never feed or approach black bears;
- Secure food, garbage, and recycling;
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active;
- Never leave pet food outdoors;
- Clean and store grills and smokers; and
- Alert neighbors to bear activity.
BearWise also recommends six basics when recreating or vacationing in bear country:
- Stay alert and together;
- Leave no trash or food scraps behind;
- Keep dogs leashed;
- Camp away from dense cover;
- Secure food and cook as far away from tents/living quarters as possible; and
- Carry bear spray, know how to use it, and know how to respond if you see a bear.
