Wisconsin
Waukesha County bear sighting 3rd since May: ‘Watch yourself’
Waukesha County bear sighting at least the third since May
A bear was spotted in Waukesha County for at least the third time since May, and the DNR believes “it’s likely the same one.”
TOWN OF OTTAWA, Wis. – A bear was spotted in Waukesha County for the third time since May, this time in the town of Ottawa; the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said the spotting are likely of the same bear.
Nancy Nelson has photographed a lot of animals in her yard, but on Sunday evening, June 18, she captured something new – a black bear. It happened once around 5 p.m. and then again two hours later.
The family was grilling outside. Nelson said 150 feet away the bear pulled down a bird feeder all the way to the ground, ate all the bird food in one container and then dumped bird seeds in another feeder onto the ground.
Nelson’s neighbor, Tom Stellpflug, also spotted the animal.
Waukesha County bear sighting, Town of Ottawa
“Watch yourself,” he said. “Be aware of your surroundings. You can see them. They’re out there. Don’t bother it. Watch your children and your small pets.”
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources estimates the state now has 24,000 bears, but they aren’t common in the southern part of the state.
“Our population is growing, and it is expanding south, so that’s why we’re seeing more of them a little bit farther south than central Wisconsin,” said Sara Fischer, DNR assistant large carnivore specialist.
Fischer said it is this time of year that bears go looking for a home and a mate.
“It’s normally around 2-year-old males who have been kicked from mom, and they’re trying to find their own place in their habitat, basically,” said Fischer. “Once mom kicks them, they are on their own, and they have to find new territory, and that’s when they are trying to establish their place. And around 3, 3 and a half, or 4 is when they start looking for females and breeding.”
Fischer said the uncommon times the DNR finds bears in southern Wisconsin, normally they are males.
“There could be females, but females don’t usually travel as far south as that. Usually, the males will be the ones to travel long distances like that, but there’s always the possibility that a female decided to travel that far,” said Fischer.
Waukesha County bear sighting, Town of Ottawa
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This bear may have traveled more than 100 miles and may have roamed through Waukesha County.
A bear sighting took place in early May in the Town of Vernon, FOX6’s Aaron Maybin reported.
Then, in New Berlin at the end of May, FOX6’s Bhrett Vickery reported on another bear sighting.
Sunday’s sighting in June was in the Town of Ottawa.
Waukesha County bear sighting, Town of Ottawa
“We believe it’s likely the same one,” said Fischer. “The distance between the sightings is definitely doable for a bear that’s moving through pretty fast.”
If you see a black bear, the DNR says you should make lots of noise, for example, you could bang pots and pans, honk your horn or even yell.
“Definitely do not run from it,” said Fischer. “Black bears normally are very shy and skittish creatures, so the important thing is to scare it away from a safe place. It is important to establish that fear of humans.”
Waukesha County bear sighting, Town of Ottawa
Fischer said bear attacks are rare here in Wisconsin. Still, there are special steps to take if a bear is spotted in your area. That includes taking down bird feeders and other food sources that could attract a bear to your yard. In addition, if a bear is spotted in your area, the DNR recommends you keep pets on a leash and with you when they go outside.
If you have seen a bear, you can report it to the Department of Natural Resources using this link.