Bear siting in Hastings near Hillside Woods. Reminds me of the day when a bear was caught eating pizza's outside of Venetian Delight Restaurant on Central Ave in Greenburgh. Yesterday, the NYS DEC refused to get the bear - so you have to be careful.
On May 10,1997 the NY Times reported that a bear was caught at Venetian Delight Restaurant on Central Ave in Greenburgh --enjoying the pizza’s! That bear was caught and sent back to upstate NY where the pizza’s are not as good. Yesterday, according to the following memo from the Hastings police department another bear was observed in Hastings. The following is a message from the Hastings police department.
A Black Bear has been observed in the Mount Hope, Overlook Area. Please be observant when outside. Do not allow pets to go outside by themselves. Whenever possible stay away from the Hillside Woods or Hillside School Area.
We have contacted the NYDEC. They are advising us to that they are NOT coming to get the bear. Their advice is that the bear is here because of food sources. Such as birdfeeders and garbage containers. Please remove birdfeeders and open or loose fitted garbage containers.
Please be vigilant when outside.
NYDEC RECOMMENDATIONS:
The leading cause of bear complaints in New York is bears getting into residential garbage and birdfeeders.
In New York State, people and black bears often find themselves living nearby one another. Bears can obtain all of the nourishment they need from the forest, but they are intelligent and opportunistic animals. They will find and consume the easiest food they can access.
Bears must often cross roads and pass through developed areas to find the varied habitat types that produce their seasonal food sources. They often find human foods readily accessible along the way if homeowners do not take necessary precautions. Not every bear that passes through a developed area is a ’problem bear’. However, available human food sources can quickly turn them into one.
Keeping Humans and Bears SafeA summary of the information below can also be found in the brochure Living With Bears (PDF).
Frequently, humans unknowingly create potential food sources for bears. This may attract them into close proximity to residential areas and subsequently result in human-bear conflicts. Most conflict scenarios in New York can be resolved or minimized by removing or adequately securing whatever served to attract the bear.
Conflicts are often associated with activities not intended to attract bears, such as:
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feeding birds - improperly storing garbage - leaving messy grills and pet food outdoors
Bears are opportunistic feeders and will remember where they find easy food, then return to that location frequently. Intentional feeding of bears or repeated access to human foods without negative consequence can lead bears to become habituated (lose their fear of humans) and to become food-conditioned (actively seek out human foods). Habituated and food-conditioned bears may become bolder in their efforts, the longer they are successfully able to access human foods. They will eventually become involved in human-bear conflicts. Food-conditioned bears are significantly more likely to be hit by cars or shot illegally by people who mistakenly perceive a threat to their own safety.
Report a bear problem. Contact your regional DEC wildlife office to report black bear-related damage.
Never Feed Black BearsIntentional feeding of black bears is illegal and creates human-bear conflicts. Incidental, indirect feeding of black bears also is unlawful after a written warning has been issued by the DEC. For details, read the Black Bear Feeding Regulations (link leaves DEC website).
PAUL FEINER