HOBART, Wis. (WBAY) – The Village of Hobart has received reports of black bear sightings in the southern end of the village in the Nathan Drive-Grande Oaks Lane area.
Bears are normally solitary forest animals, but their sense of smell can lead them into urban and suburban areas in search of food.
Village officials provided tips in the event of a bear encounter:
Never feed or approach bears – Feeding can cause situations in which a bear becomes habituated to humans.
Secure food, garbage and recycling – Food and food odors attract bears.
Remove bird feeders when bears are active – Removing feeders is the best way to avoid creating conflicts with bears.
Never leave pet food outdoors – Feed pets indoors when possible. Bears are attracted to uneaten food.
Clean and store grills – Store cleaned grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.
Alert neighbors to bear activity – Share information on how to avoid bear conflicts.
Know what to do if you encounter a bear – If you encounter a black bear, stay calm and do not run from the bear. Try to scare the bear away by making loud noises or by throwing objects in the bear’s direction.
For more information, visit the following websites below:
DNR – Wildlife Habitat: NUISANCE, URBAN AND DAMAGING WILDLIFE BearWise: Helping People, Businesses and Communities Coexist with Bears
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