CEREDO, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Along with increased recreation and outdoor events, rising temperatures throughout the Mountain State have brought with them the resurgence of one of the most majestic and potentially dangerous creatures in the West Virginia wilderness.
The Ceredo Police Department issued a statement Monday morning indicating that numerous reports of bear sightings had been received over the past ten days in several areas including Walker’s Branch, Crescent Hill, and Briarcliff.
It was confirmed that the Division of Natural Resources had been made aware of the reports, and local residents were encouraged to exercise caution in the wake of these sightings.
Typically weighing between 100-300 pounds but occasionally weighing in at over a quarter ton, West Virginia black bears tend to hibernate during the fall months – often during the period of October to December – and emerge in the spring between March and April.
Just last month, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources issued a statement offering tips to residents for preventing conflicts with the creatures, including the removal of attractants such as “bird feeders, pet food and food scraps” as well as general garbage. These steps are encouraged for personal property as well as campgrounds.
The WVDNR states that reports such as these are not uncommon given the time of year, indicating that bear sighting reports tend to peak annually between the period of April – June.
“While the WVDNR starts getting reports of nuisance bear activity in April, conflicts increase and peak in May and June because high-energy foods such as serviceberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries do not become available until later in the summer,” says the WVDNR.
The department also offered multiple prevention measures regarding wild bears which can be seen below.
“To help prevent nuisance bear activity, residents are encouraged to follow these BearWise steps:
- Never feed or approach bears.
- Secure food, garbage and recycling.
- Remove bird feeders when bears are active.
- Never leave pet food outdoors.
- Clean and store grills.
- Alert neighbors of bear activity.
To learn more about black bears and how to prevent human-bear conflicts, visit bearwise.org.”
