By Kristal Dixon
Cherokee Tribune Staff Writer
Because of the rise of the Southern Appalachian bear population, increased sightings of bears are imminent in Cherokee County.
A spike in black bear sightings in North Georgia can be attributed to natural habitats surrounding neighborhoods being kept intact, according to officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
"People aren't killing bears," said Adam Hammond, a wildlife biologist with the Department. "And it's pretty well documented that we believe that our bear population is increasing."
Hammond said there are between 1,200 to 1,500 bears in north Georgia.
A black bear recently was spotted near the Cherokee and Fulton County lines, and later was hit and killed by a car in Cumming.
Robin Donovan of southeast Cherokee said her 8-year-old son, Chance, alerted her when he saw the bear on their property last week.
"Our dogs were going crazy at the front door," Mrs. Donovan said.
Mrs. Donovan said when her husband came outside the bear, which had a tracking collar, began to walk toward the woods. The bear did not get into their trash or other items on the property.
The incident propelled Mrs. Donovan to research bear sightings and other information on why bears tend to wander.
Hammond said during the spring and summer, young male bears are no longer protected by their mothers. Thus, they strike out on their own and usually end up in towns and communities.
"Out of the four (bears seen) in Cobb, we had three that were young males," he said.
Three of the bears spotted in Cobb also died after being hit by cars.
Hammond said the northwest and northeast offices of the Department of Natural Resources receive more than 350 reports of bear sightings every year.
Josh Shute, the assistant director of Cherokee E-911, said the call center receives between 20 and 25 calls per year from residents reporting bears.
"This is mainly because one bear can generate several calls in any given particular area," he said.
Once 911 receives a call, an officer is dispatched to patrol the area for safety, Shute said. If the safety of residents is at risk, Shute said the DNR is called out to take control of the situation.
If a bear is severely hurt, Hammond said the DNR opts to euthanize the animal.
"It's more humane to put it out of its misery," he said.
If a bear is killed while roaming the streets, the DNR collects data such as the sex and the condition of the bear and pulls a tooth to determine how old the bear is.
If any educational facility is interested in receiving parts of bears, they are free to contact DNR, Hammond said.
When people come in contact with bears, Hammond said it's best to just give the bear its space. If you spot a bear, you also can call the DNR at 1(800) 241-4113.
Hammond said he also encourages residents to take precautions so bears do not have a reason to return to specific properties, such as not leaving trash or bird food outside.
kdixon@cherokeetribune.com
Comment on this Story
Posted Comments