Residents try to bear up under population explosion
By Alexandra Bogdanovic
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries officials said last fall that conservation police officers statewide received more calls about black bears during the summer of 2007 than they had "in recent memory."Most of the problems were related to bears getting into trash, pet food and damaging bird feeders.
The black bear that wrecked the bird feeders in Ingrid Gormly's back yard recently hasn't been around for a while. But she said she wants her neighbors to be prepared, just in case he comes back.
Specifically, Gormly, who works for a veterinarian, urged her neighbors to bring birdseed or any other food items that might be tempting to the bear indoors. She also advised them not to leave their garbage out overnight unless its absolutely necessary.
If someone does need to leave garbage outside, Gormly suggested using bungee cords to secure the cans.
Gormly lives in Fletcherville, a subdivision just off U.S. 17 a few miles outside of Warrenton. She first saw the bear in her backyard at about 1 a.m. April 27.
"I heard a noise that sounded like a giant egg cracking," Gormly said.
When she turned on the outside lights, she saw that a black bear had pounced on one of her plastic bird feeders. Startled by the light, the bear ran toward the back of the property and hopped a fence Gormly said.
But he didn't stay away for long.
See the Fauquier Times-Democrat for the complete story...