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Bear believed hibernating in Indiana spotted on the move

Posted at 10:29 AM, Mar 27, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-27 10:29:27-04

MADISON, Ind. (AP) -- Wildlife officials say a black bear believed to have hibernated in southern Indiana has been spotted on the move again.

Indiana's Department of Natural Resources says the bear was seen last year in the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge and likely hibernated in that refuge just north of the Ohio River city of Madison. Officials say it was recently spotted in a corn field near the refuge.

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The DNR has urged residents near the refuge to secure garbage cans, remove bird feeders and other food sources to keep the bear leery of humans.

It's only the second wild black bear confirmed in Indiana since the 1870s. Officials believe it swam across the Ohio River last summer from Kentucky, which has a growing bear population.

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The bear will most likely run from people if it sees them.

DNR offers the following tips for anybody living near the area:

  • Don’t intentionally feed bears. If a bear becomes accustomed to finding food near your home, it is likely to become a “problem” bear.
  • Place garbage cans inside a garage or shed.
  • Clean and store grills away after use.
  • Don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
  • Remove bird feeders and bird food from late March through November.
  • Don’t add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
  • If you encounter a bear, don’t run. Shout, wave your arms and back away slowly.
  • Collect and remove low-hanging or fallen fruit from fruit trees.
  • Eliminate meat, cooking oil, fish or fruit odors from near your home. This includes fish-meal fertilizers.
  • Collect and remove any ripened vegetables from your garden.
  • Protect bee hives through the use of electric fencing.