Keeping bears away
Living the Country Life Radio Program
Radio interview source: Deanna Ruth, wildlife biologist, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
My grandmother grew up in the mountains of central Pennsylvania and they had bear problems on their small farm. Bears eat anything, and once they find an easy food supply, they will continue to return, as Grandma found out. The bad news is if bears become accustomed to humans, they must either be relocated or destroyed.
Deanna Ruth is a wildlife biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. She says anything that attracts dogs, cats or raccoons will also attract bears.
"Dog food, bird feeders, barbecue grills that are not cleaned, all of these smells are very attractive to a bear," Ruth says. "And they will come in to investigate if there is a legitimate food source there."
Bears are very opportunistic. If one smells a buffet in your trash can, it'll get all its caloric needs for a day in 10 minutes. It doesn't matter what's in there, whether it be sugar cookies, meat, or French fries, which is a favorite of theirs, by the way. In the bear's opinion, this is far easier than foraging for 10 hours in the woods.
Photo: Colorado Division of Wildlife
