Submitted by Tom Andersen on Thu, 07/08/2010 - 2:39pm
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Visitors to Westchester Wilderness Walk, in Pound Ridge, in early July 2010 saw a black bear in the preserve.
- If you see a bear:
- Enjoy it from a distance.
- Advertise your presence by shouting and waving your arms or walk slowly away.
- Never attempt to feed or attract bears.
Black bear attacks on humans are exceptionally rare. In most hiking areas, bears normally leave once they have sensed a human.
If you see a bear while hiking the trails, make your presence known by making noise and waving your arms.
If you surprise a bear at close range, walk away slowly while facing the bear. Do not run. Try to stay calm as you make your retreat.
Black bears will sometimes "bluff charge" to within a few feet of you when they feel threatened. If this happens, stand your ground and shout at the bear.
Do not climb a tree because black bears are excellent tree climbers. Make sure your dog is on a leash and under control.
Bears are omnivorous; they eat grasses and other soft-bodied plants, fruits, nuts, and berries. They also like insects (particularly ants and bees), scavenge carrion, and raid bird feeders and garbage cans.
If you see our wandering black bear, call David Emerson, Westchester Land Trust’s land preservation coordinator, 914 234-6619 x 26, or email david@westchesterlandtrust.org.