ALERT! Bears in LRAA, May 2020

Bear spotted on Harris Road.

We currently have two bears hanging around Lost River. Recently they have gotten into the garbage shed and into garbage cans on member property. We contacted the Department of Fish and Wildlife to investigate options. The policy of the DF&W is NOT to capture and relocate bears. If a bear becomes a problem, they will euthanize it.

This time of year, the bears are looking for berries and other food along the river. We do not want bears to develop a taste for our community garbage or food from any private property. This would be bad for the community and bad for the bears. As Sargent Christensen of the DF&W said, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”

While a bear could certainly force its way in to the shed, the lack of claw marks on the doors and infrequency of visits points to the likelihood that the bear is getting in when the doors are left open. Please help us take preventive measures.

• Always make sure you close the garbage shed doors all the way, and if you pass by and see a door open, please stop and close it.

• Since this is the second year in a row that we have had bears in our community, we will likely need to add latches to the garbage shed doors. However, latches will only work if everyone closes the doors after dropping off garbage and recycling.

On your private property you can likewise take preventive measures to eliminate bear attractants.

• Secure your own food, garbage, compost, and recycling.

• Remove bird feeders.

• Do not leave pet food outdoors.

• Keep your grill clean of grease, fat, and food particles that build up with use.

For additional facts and (safety) tips for how to live responsibly with black bears, please visit BearWise.

If you encounter an actively aggressive bear call the Washington State Patrol at (509) 227-6650 and they will dispatch enforcement officers. Also contact the LRAA through the Contact Us form on our website.

Thank you for taking proactive steps to protect our community and the bears in the area.