Locals involved over elevated bear sightings in Sierra Madre

A rise in bear sightings and break-ins all through Sierra Madre has some residents on edge, with at the least one group occasion not too long ago canceled over security issues.

Officers stated there have been over 30 calls reporting bears prior to now month alone.

Residents met with metropolis officers and wildlife consultants on Saturday on the Sierra Madre Public Library to debate methods to method the potential risks.

Current sightings within the space embrace bears noticed in yard swimming swimming pools, exploring entrance porches and breaking into houses to get pleasure from a snack within the kitchen. 

As bear sightings and encounters develop into extra frequent in Southern California, wildlife officers are specializing in methods residents and animals can coexist peacefully.

“It’s typical to see a rise in bear sightings this time of yr as a result of bears are coming into hyperphagia the place they’re making an attempt to get 20,000 energy a day to pack on the fats for denning and hibernation,” defined Mackenzie Wealthy, a Human Wildlife Battle Specialist with the California Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Apprehensive residents postponed a household campout occasion in Memorial Park this weekend over issues of a doable bear encounter. Locals at the moment are questioning what choices they’ll take to deal with the rising concern.

“What they need to see occur is a administration plan or a plan of motion from Fish and Wildlife the place our security shouldn’t be compromised,” stated Catherine Adde, a Sierra Madre resident. “So many houses have been damaged into.”

Though Adde stated she’s not too bothered by the bears, others are frightened that an encounter might develop into lethal. Some residents are hoping the bears will be safely tranquilized and relocated to a much less populated group.

“We’re in a state of affairs now that may be a results of Fish and Wildlife not managing the bear inhabitants within the wilderness to some extent the place the inhabitants elevated past what the wilderness can maintain,” stated Glenn Lambdin, the previous Mayor of Sierra Madre. “It compelled the bears into residential neighborhoods.”

Lambdin is satisfied the bears are habituated and might now not survive within the wilderness.

“Bears don’t have any enterprise residing in residential neighborhoods,” Lambdin stated. “So the entire urbanized, habituated bears should be eliminated. The inhabitants within the wilderness must be decreased to a stage that’s sustainable.”

Others, nonetheless, disagree with Lambdin’s take, saying the realm additionally belongs to the bears and locals simply have to discover a technique to coexist whereas taking preventative security measures.

“If you happen to don’t like crime, don’t reside in a giant metropolis,” stated Randal Preece, a Sierra Madre resident. “If you happen to don’t like bushes, don’t reside within the mountains. Killing the animals shouldn’t be the reply.”

Preece stated residents within the space simply want to make use of frequent sense to keep away from any points with bear encounters.

Wildlife sightings within the space, which is within the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, aren’t unusual, stated Laura Aguilar, a Sierra Madre metropolis spokesperson.

Officers are implementing a brand new bear mitigation plan that features extra training for residents on bear encounters, together with tagging native bears to simply determine repeat offenders.

Starting in October, each Sierra Madre resident may also obtain a free bear-proof trash bin for outside use.