Aiken bear sightings are down this year
This time last year, there were a number of bear sightings in residential areas near Aiken, but in 2009, there have been only two reported sightings, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Mike Caudell, a wildlife biologist with South Carolina DNR, said there was a black bear sighting in Columbia County, Ga., and another at Savannah Lakes Village in McCormick.
If black bears are going to be spotted in residential areas as much as they were last year, Caudell said, "they're getting a later start. You just never know how many sightings there will be."
The frequency of spotting bears is down on both sides of the Savannah River.
"Last year, we had several bears move through the area," said I.B. Parnell, senior wildlife biologist with the Thomson office of Georgia DNR. "Usually, we only get a couple per summer from this area."
There is no trend that shows bear sightings in the CSRA's more urbanized areas are on the rise. There is, however, a growing bear population in South Carolina and Georgia, and the animals are expanding from their habitats.
"We have bears all over the state," said Tom Swayngham, a regional wildlife coordinator with South Carolina DNR. "It's not unusual to see a bear anywhere in South Carolina."
There are two primary resident bear populations in South Carolina. One is in the mountains, and the other is in northern coastal counties near Myrtle Beach. In Georgia, the two primary populations are north of Atlanta and near Macon. A reason black bears are being spotted near Aiken is a possible expansion to a new habitat near the Savannah River Site.
"With SRS, you have a big habitat area for bears where they can live and do well," Swayngham said. "It will have more bears."
Another reason black bears are expanding their habitat closer to Aiken is the abundance of food sources. Bears eat anything, from acorns to insects to garbage.
According to South Carolina DNR, about 80 percent of a black bear's diet is plant matter.
The other 20 percent includes insects and meat, all of which can be found in the area.
Black bears spotted locally might have exhausted these resources in their home ranges, spurring them to seek food elsewhere.
"In drought years, bears have to go further to get something to eat" and last summer fit that profile, Parnell said.
Caudell agreed with this assessment, saying, "If food supplies are short, it tends to cause bears to wander more widely."
The primary reason bears are spotted outside their usual habitat is because of mating.
Juvenile male black bears are forced out of familiar territory during breeding season, which usually occurs from June to August. These bears are forced out by adult males or their own mothers. Juvenile males seeking mates will often wander into residential areas.
"Lots of times, they'll pass through the area and won't bother anybody," said Parnell, who stressed to leave a bear alone if you spot one.
While bears are generally no danger to people, they are large, powerful, wild animals that need to be respected.
"There are no incidents of anybody being harmed by a bear in South Carolina history," Swayngham said, adding, "Don't challenge or threaten a bear. Don't run away. Slowly back away. The bear will run away the vast majority of the time."
Eliminating easy access to food sources like trash, pet food or grills will help keep bears from being spotted in residential or urban areas.
"Most of the time they're here today, gone tomorrow," Caudell said.
Contact Noah Feit at nfeit@aikenstandard.com.
BREAKOUT
If you spot a bear, do not approach it. To report a sighting, call (803) 725-3663 or the state hotline, (800) 922-5431.
The following items attract bears and should be protected or securely stored:
* Garbage cans
* Bird feeders
* Pet food and bowls
* Bird, squirrel and other wildlife feeders
* Grills and barbecue smokers
* Livestock feed
* Compost piles
* Beehives
* Fruit- and nut-bearing trees and shrubs
It is illegal to intentionally feed or attract black bears in South Carolina. For more information on dealing with bears, visit www.dnr.sc.gov/wildlife/bear/index.html for a homeowner's guide to dealing with bears.