Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

WOONSOCKET, R.I. -- On Tuesday night, an on-duty Woonsocket police officer on Sunrise Avenue and Dawn Boulevard saw a prowler he didn't expect.

A black bear ran into a yard on Dawn Boulevard and later went into a wooded area off Bound Road at the city's border with Cumberland and disappeared.

On Monday, a black bear was spotted in North Attleboro on Fales Road, Hoppin Hill Road and Sheldonville Road, prompting Town Hall to put out an activated phone message warning residents to beware the black bear and not to leave young children and animals unattended.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, which has received several calls from people who said they saw a black bear -- in the yard at the bird feeder or crossing roads in Cumberland and Woonsocket near the Massachusetts border -- has issued tips on "co-existing with black bears."

According to the DEM, as black bear populations continue to increase in neighboring states, it is likely that the bear-sightings in Rhode Island will become a routine occurrence. Young male bears that usually leave the care of their mother when they are about 18 months old after spending their second winter with her, have a tendency to wander great distances when on their own for the first time. This usually takes place in early summer. They will be harassed by any adult bear into whose territory they enter. Eventually they will settle in a location that is not already occupied by an adult male and establish their own territory.

Black bears are generally shy and secretive and usually fearful of humans. However, if they become dependent on backyard food sources they can lose their fear and become a nuisance. They are intelligent and adaptable and can learn quickly to adjust to the presence of humans. They have a keen sense of smell.

The following are some tips offered by the DEM:

• Take down bird feeders from April to November. Natural food sources for birds are plentiful at this time of year.



• Do not feed pets outside. If you do, take the dishes inside at night.



• Store garbage in sheds and garages, away from doors.



• Double bagging and using ammonia will reduce odors that attract bears.



• Garbage for pick up should be put outside the morning of collection, not the night before.



• Keep barbecue grills clean of grease.



• Do not put meat or sweet food scraps in your compost pile.

This entry was first posted at 11:04 a.m.

 Tags  Massachusetts Woonsocket RI

Comments

mary said:

There has also has been seen in Cumberland in the 295 exit 10 area in those woood a BLACK BEAR....

Link | June 10, 2009 11:10 AM
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FatAbe22 said:

I was at Dawn Boulevard around that time the bear was spotted and saw a sign that said "Bear Left" so I went home.

Link | June 10, 2009 11:35 AM
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Haxter said:

Just leave the bear alone. Avoid it and let it go it's own way. Bears are not dangerous in this setting and will soon leave the area if left alone.

Link | June 10, 2009 11:35 AM
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Anonymous said:

If one reads between the lines of this article, one may determine that this bear is obviously not from Barrington because it ran from the "Cop" without taunting him.

Link | June 10, 2009 1:44 PM
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paddycakes said:

I love bears. Especialy when they travel in packs of six.

Link | June 10, 2009 1:53 PM
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Arnold said:

I eat bears for breakfast and right now I am very hungry!

Link | June 10, 2009 4:09 PM
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