Hungry bruins need our help

Bear sightings are the holy grail of Jackson Hole wildlife sightings, for visitors and residents.

Wolves and mountain lions are seen more seldom, but their scarcity and remoteness keep expectations low. Rarely do people head into the parks without hope of spotting a bruin.

Encounters with Ursus americanus — black bears — are some of the most magical experiences Wyoming offers. There’s something profound and enlightening about watching such an intelligent creature that’s not far on the evolutionary ladder from humans. Their snouts and behavior often mirror the family pet.

Yet encountering people — on the trail, around the lakes and, most notably, in neighborhoods — poses the greatest danger to these marvelous creatures. And nowhere does the old adage “A fed bear is a dead bear” ring more true than in residential areas, where hungry young bears are most likely to get in trouble.

This autumn is shaping up to be a particularly hazardous or even deadly season for black bears, with drought and severe temperatures producing a poor berry crop. Bears depend on berries for food and are extra hungry as they enter hyperphagia, the annual gorging to put on fat before winter hibernation.

Already there are widespread reports of conflicts in neighborhoods, as bruins wander out of the mountains and forests and come sniffing bird feeders, improperly stored trash and greasy barbecue grills. The more accustomed bears become to finding food around people, the more aggressive they can be.

While Jackson usually sees two to four bear conflicts per year, town officials reported at least 21 conflicts last month alone. There have been several instances of bears breaking into homes in Teton County. Wildlife managers captured five bears and euthanized two, including one bear that entered a home. Two cubs were orphaned in town. In Teton Valley, Idaho, cops shot a bear found eating Kerrygold butter out of a dish on a kitchen counter.

Residents need to be extra vigilant this fall in securing trash and other attractants outside their homes. Garages can be particularly vulnerable to snooping bruins. People should check trash cans, compost bins, recycling, grills, coolers and other items that may have the scent of food. A bear-resistant trash can is useless if overfilled. Take bird feeders in for the night, and clean grease traps beneath grills.

The Town Council rightly has established and expanded areas where bear-resistant cans are required. But bears increasingly are pushing beyond the town periphery and deeper into neighborhoods. Outlying areas such as Teton Village have been conflict prone for years.

Bears aren’t the only animals that get into trash — ravens, crows and the occasional raccoon also will take an easy meal left for them — so it’s best to store trash securely year round, even when bruins are sleeping.

Spotting a bear is one of the most exciting occurrences, but it’s precisely this interaction between bears and humans that poses the most danger to our ursine cousins. It’s not enough just to be bear aware; encourage a friend or neighbor to do what’s best for bruins as well. In a year of extreme weather, let’s all practice additional caution so we can enjoy safe bear sightings in the forest for years to come.

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