bransonglobe.com STATE • BEARS Continued from page 12 bears. So far in 2020, we’ve already received nearly 250 bear reports with multiple reports coming from areas around Lake of the Ozarks and along I-44.” An adult male black bear that attracted public attention earlier this year is an example of how far bears can travel and how many people are interested in them. The bear is suspected to have traveled from Wisconsin, through Illinois, and into Missouri in early July. It swam the Mississippi River from Illinois and entered the Show-Me State near Elsberry before making its way into St. Charles County near Wentzville. There, it found itself stuck between major highways just north of I-70 and near I-40/61 with a gathering of hundreds of people watching it nearby. MDC staff found and immobilized the bear, placed tags in its ears, transported it to a nearby area of suitable bear habitat outside the very busy urban corridor, and released it unharmed. While MDC has not actively tracked the location of this bear, photos submitted by the public suggest that the bear has moved south through the Missouri Ozarks. While this bear’s movements are not normal for an adult bear, Conlee noted that bears, especially young dispersing males, can travel long distances – including into places they may not be welcome. Bears spend most of their time searching for food and are especially attracted to easy meals – including those provided by people. MDC encourages people to remove or properly store bear attractants from their property, such as bird feeders, trash, barbeque grills, pet food, and food waste. MDC emphasizes that people should never approach or feed a bear. Intentionally feeding bears can be dangerous because it makes the bears comfortable around people. It can also lead bears to cause significant damage to property while searching for a meal. “When bears lose their fear of humans, they could approach people in search of food or may defend the food sources or territory they associate with food provided by people, which can make them dangerous,” Conlee said. “When this happens, the bear cannot be relocated and has to be destroyed. A fed bear is a dead bear.” MDC offers the following tips to avoid attracting black bears to possible food sources: • Store garbage, recyclables, and compost inside a secure building or in a bear-proof container until trash pickup day. • Keep grills and smokers clean and store them inside. • Don’t leave pet food outside. Feed pets a portion at each meal and remove the empty containers. • Refrain from using birdfeeders in bear country from April through November. If in use, hang them at least 10 feet high and 4 feet away from any structure. Keep in mind that even if a bear cannot get to the birdseed, the scent could still attract it to the area. • Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable gardens, orchards, and other Your Branson Area Weather Source Loving The Ozarks SUN 96 Partly to Mostly Sunny 72 Partly Cloudy Chance for Afternoon Storms 73 Chance for Showers & Thunderstorms 71 MON Branson Area 5 Day Outlook TUE potential food sources. • Keep campsites clean and store all food, toiletries and trash in a secure vehicle or strung high between two trees. Do not keep food or toiletries in a tent, and do not burn or bury garbage or food waste. While black bears are generally shy and non-aggressive, MDC emphasizes that people need to leave bears alone and make sure the bear has an escape route if encountered. “Be aware of your surroundings,” Conlee said. “If there is evidence of a bear in the area, such as tracks or scat, avoid the area. While out in bear country, make noises such as clapping, singing or talking loudly to prevent July 26 - 28, 2020 • 13 surprising a bear. Travel in a group if possible and keep dogs leashed.” For more information on Missouri black bears and how to Be Bear Aware, visit MDC online at mdc. mo.gov/bearaware. MDC encourages people to submit bear sightings online to mdc. mo.gov/reportbears. WED THU 95 90 90 90 Partly Cloudy Chance for a Shower or Thunderstorm 71 Partly Cloudy Chance for a Shower or Thunderstorm
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