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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 2, 2005 Bear cub draws crowd in Trail By CHRIS CONRAD Mail Tribune Kim Wilson was on a Saturday morning hay run when she saw a bear cub sprinting along Dodge Road in Trail. Wilson, who has lived in the area for two years, had never seen a wild bear. She was as surprised as anyone when this one left the road and shimmied up a tree at the corner of Meadows and Dodge roads. "I know we live in the woods, so it’s expected," she said. "But we never thought we’d see one so near a bunch of houses." Suddenly, the area started to resemble an open-air zoo. Onlookers in cars lined up along the road to catch a glimpse of the cub, Wilson said. The cub periodically crawled down the tree and sat in the grass, bawling for its mother. It would bolt back up if too many cars stopped. Advertisement "If you pulled off to the side of the road and got out of your car, you could touch it," Wilson said, adding "Nobody was dumb enough to do that." Fearing the mother would appear, Wilson said she alerted nearby residents. She then called Bonnie Cox, who owns the Citadel Creek Rescue Center in Trail. The rescue center handles anything from abused and neglected dogs and cats to injured raccoons. But Cox draws the line when it comes to bears, she said. "I rescue a lot of things, but I can’t bring something like that here," she said. "I stick with animals I can handle at this point, and a bear just ain’t one of them." Cox’s fear was that someone would shoot the orphaned cub, though cubs and their mothers are protected even during hunting season, according to current state big game regulations. Concerned for the bear’s welfare, Wilson called 9-1-1. She said she was perturbed when the operator told her to just leave the cub alone. She attempted to call the Oregon Fish and Wildlife office, but no one answered. Meanwhile, the one-bear show along Dodge Road continued. Wilson made sure to snap a photo herself before heading home. Frustrating as it may have been, Oregon State Police trooper Mike Cushman said the 9-1-1 operator’s advice to leave the animal be was apt. "Just keep your distance," Cushman said. "Most of the black bears around here are, for the most part, more scared of you than you are of them." Cushman said that problems arise when people get close to cubs, thinking they are harmless. He is quick to remind the curious that the danger lies not with the cub. "If the mother’s alive, then she’s probably nearby," he said. Wilson said that by 3 p.m. the cub had wandered off, which keeps with Trooper Cushman’s final point. "If there’s nothing to eat, (they’ll) move on." What to do The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Web site says that though bear and human encounters are inevitable, there are some tips to keep them away and what to do when you see them in your neighborhood: Keep pet food indoors . Feed pets in the house, garage or enclosed kennel. Hang bird feeders from a wire at least 10 feet off the ground and 6 to 10 feet from the trunk of tree. Remove fruit that has fallen from trees. Add lime to compost piles to reduce odors; do not compost meat, bones, fruit, dairy products or grease. Secure garbage cans in a garage, shed or behind a chain link or electric fence. Put garbage cans out just before pick-up time , not the night before. Purchase bear-proof garbage cans if necessary. Take garbage with you when leaving your vacation home. Clean garbage containers regularly with bleach or moth balls to reduce odors. Use electric fencing to keep bears from orchards, gardens, compost, beehives and berries. Store livestock food in a secure place. Don’t leave scented candles, soap or suntan lotions outdoors or near open windows. Keep barbecues clean . Store them in a shed or garage. Talk to neighbors to encourage everyone in the neighborhood to remove attractants. Stay indoors and allow a snooping bear to move on. NEVER, EVER FEED A BEAR. Teach children about bear safety. More information on bears is available at www.dfw.state.or.us Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail Bear cub draws crowd in Trail ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Email Security Advertisement s Advertisement