Sweet and demure looks can be deceiving … learn how to become bear aware. Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

Spring is here and black bears of the Pajarito Plateau are waking up from long winter naps.  Bears eat almost anything available (i.e. insects, nuts and berries, plant matter, fish, birds, small mammals and carrion), but rarely kill larger prey.

Bears that have found available human sources, such as trash cans, gardens and fruit trees, are more likely to seek them again.

Tips and tricks to minimize encounters as bears begin to look for food:

• Never intentionally feed bears to attract them for viewing. 
• Don’t leave pet food or food dishes outdoors overnight.
• Never leave fruit from trees and bushes to rot on the ground, as it is a powerful attractant to bears.
• Bring in bird feeders at night. These are high-calorie treats, and bears may stay and look for other food sources nearby.
• Never put meat or sweet-smelling food scraps in your compost pile.
• Clean and store outdoor grills after use. Bears can smell sweet barbecue sauce and grease for miles.
• Store garbage properly at all times. Only put roll carts out the morning of your trash pickup, and use bear-proof containers when available. 

Find more tips and learn more about the animals of the Pajarito Plateau on the County’s Living with Wildlife webpage here.