DNR investigating bear encounter with Siren resident

News Release Published: June 29, 2009 by the Northern Region

Contact(s): Mike Zeckmeister (715) 635-4090
Dave Zebro (715) 635-4093

SIREN - Department of Natural Resource officials are investigating an incident involving a bear knocking a woman down outside her home on the outskirts of Siren Sunday evening. The woman sustained minor injuries was treated and released from a local hospital.

The bear had entered the family’s home a few nights earlier before leaving through a porch door and causing some damage. Because the bear had been at the woman’s home on several other nights and appears to be unafraid of humans, DNR officials say that to assure public safety, if and when the animal is found it will be euthanized.

"What we have here is a problem with a wild animal that has become habituated to raiding bird feeders, area garbage cans, and other human foods,” said DNR Northern Region Wildlife Supervisor, Mike Zeckmeister. Nearly all human-bear conflicts are a result of the animal’s search for food and inevitably this becomes a problem when bears associate people with food sources, he said. He added that there are enough natural foods for bears to eat.

Human encounters with bears resulting in injuries are rare, according to Regional Law Enforcement Supervisor Dave Zebro. He noted that only a few times each year do his wardens and wildlife staff have to deal with incidents of this type. He stressed that law enforcement officials are the only ones authorized to kill or euthanize bears and other wild animals outside of the normal hunting seasons.

The bear is believed to be about 125 pounds, putting it in the yearling class, Zeckmeister said. A larger bear had also been seen near the residence. Bears are nearing the end of their breeding season and this is a time when sow bears are forcing yearling bears out of the family group, he said.

Federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) trappers have placed a culvert type live trap at the residence and plan to place a similar trap in the area in hopes of trapping the bears. Area residents are urged to leave the traps alone and to remove all bird feeders, outside dog food, and put garbage indoors. “This family was not intentionally feeding wild animals but other people in the area were,” the wildlife biologist said.

Along with the APHIS trappers the DNR is working with the county sheriff’s office in the investigation and work in finding the bears.

“The safety and health of our citizens are our primary focus in this investigation,” Zebro said.

Last Revised: June 29, 2009