Black bears spreading across North Alabama

Contributed Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources photo by Billy Pope / The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries is working with Auburn University researchers and other state and federal agencies to collect data on the state's black bear population and movements. This data will be used to make scientific decisions about bear management. Contributed Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources photo by Billy Pope / The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries is working with Auburn University researchers and other state and federal agencies to collect data on the state's black bear population and movements. This data will be used to make scientific decisions about bear management.

By Ben Benton July 18, 2018 4 min read

Photo contributed by Auburn University / Bears are caught on a remote camera during the 2012 Little River Canyon National Preserve bear study.

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

Below are tips on what you should do if you encounter a black bear and how to avoid attracting one to your property.› Do not run from the bear.› Avoid direct eye contact with the bear.› Encourage the bear to move away by waving your arms and yelling as you slowly back away.› Make sure the bear has an unobstructed direction to escape.› In the unlikely event of an attack, fight back. Never “play dead.”› Never approach or purposely feed a bear.› Store all food indoors or in a bear-resistant container.› Do not leave pet food outside overnight.› Keep trash cans clean and don’t put trash out until the morning of pick up.› Avoid feeding birds and other wildlife from April to January when bears are most active.Source: Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Wildlife officials say black bears have been sighted this year in counties all across North Alabama, evidence the furry beast is expanding its range in the Yellowhammer State.

Jackson, Limestone, Marshall, Morgan and St. Clair counties are now on the growing list of black bear sightings this year, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

State biologists say the increase in sightings may be due to factors including changes in bear distribution, habitat fragmentation, seasonal movement and the summer mating season. However, most spring and summer bear sightings involve young males being pushed out on their own by their mothers and adult males, officials said.

Historically in Alabama, a small population of black bears has long existed in Mobile and Washington counties in the south end of the state, officials said. Baldwin, Covington and Escambia counties on the Florida border host another population of bears.