LANE COUNTY, Ore. — A recent black bear sighting near Spencer Butte Park is prompting reminders from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife about how to reduce human-wildlife conflict and keep bears from becoming accustomed to human food sources.
Officials with the agency say the key to preventing dangerous encounters is ensuring bears do not gain access to garbage, pet food, or other attractants around homes and campsites.
Bears should never be allowed access to human food or garbage; it habituates them to people and increases the chance of conflict. Once habituated to finding food near homes or campgrounds, bears can become a threat to human safety and must often be destroyed…