Amid a spike of reported bear sightings near foothill community homes in the last week, dozens of Sierra Madre residents looked to law enforcement and wildlife officials this weekend for ways to prevent the next bear break-in in their neighborhood.
About 50 people gathered at the Sierra Madre Library for a community meeting Saturday, Sept. 16, many of whom could recount personal close encounters with bears in their backyard, on their doorstep, and even inside their home.
While no one was shocked about the sightings in the community so close to the Angeles National Forest, residents are concerned that they are becoming more frequent. The latest incidents in Sierra Madre last week only highlighted the issue, as bear sightings to date have already nearly tripled compared to all of 2022.
“Realistically, with a bear encounter, it’s not if but when,” Sierra Madre Police Chief Gustavo Barrientos said at the meeting. “But the biggest threat is when it becomes a learned behavior.”
Barrientos – who at the meeting stressed that bear issues, including their tagging and relocation, are not a police matter — urged people to report any sightings to the Wildlife Incident Reporting system, which then is compiled by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Mackenzie Rich, CDFW human-wildlife conflict specialist, also provided more in-depth context on bear habitats, behavior, and tips for preventing conflict where they come in contact with people.
“Scaring is caring,” she said, urging the public to deter bears as much as possible. Rich said it’s crucial that people don’t feed the wildlife, intentionally or unintentionally, advocating that people lock away their food garbage.
However some residents at the meeting questioned the advice, feeling that limiting the wildlife’s food sources will make bears more aggressive, while others left with questions unanswered.
“It does come with the territory but we still have to act,” said David Torres,…
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