Living with Wildlife - Black Bears
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Black Bears are Active and Seeking Food!
Mass Wildlife is reminding us that the only way to prevent repeat bear visits and to minimize potential conflicts is to remove all sources of food and properly secure animals.
Advice for Citizens
- Remove or secure all food sources including bird feeders, trash, open compost bins or dumpsters, pet food, and grain. Bears are smart and will learn these are predictable and readily available sources of food, which puts people and pets at greater risk. Poultry and rabbit owners as well as beekeepers should invest in electric fencing to protect their coops, hutches and hives.
- People should be aware that irresponsible human behavior also puts bears at risk. Massachusetts General Law allows bears to be destroyed by property owners if bears are discovered raiding hives, chicken coops, rabbit hutches, or attacking livestock or pets.
- Visit our bear web pages at www.mass.gov/bears or contact MassWildlife’s Field Headquarters at (508) 389-6359 for assistance with electric fencing, securing livestock or other information.
Resources from MassWildlife
- YouTube video “Don’t Feed Bears, Keep Them Wild!”
- Living with Wildlife – Black Bears in Massachusetts