What's up with all the DMV's recent bear sightings
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It's the season of the bear in D.C. — and we don't just mean the chaotic TV show, but bears, plural: real, furry, pawin-through-the-trash bears.
The big picture: A slew of recent DMV black bear sightings have made headlines: A bear — which neighbors quickly nicknamed "Otis" — was spotted in Brookland in May, and there have been several reported bear sightings in Maryland.
- Last month, a bear was hit and killed on I-395 in Arlington, and the body of a bear was found illegally dumped in Arlington after it was hit and killed on I-66.
- Last year, the local internet lost it over a bear dubbed Franklin, spotted wandering around Brookland before officials relocated him.
The intrigue: So, are there actually more bears traipsing through the DMV, or is there just more coverage of the bears? It's a little bit of both, says bear biologist Jonathan Trudeau of Maryland's Department of Natural Resources.
- Young male bears typically set out in May or June to find their own territory. The local bear population has increased over the last 20 years, meaning that many are now wandering eastward into the more urban Washington region during their search.
But it's possible there are more reports of bears due to a few popping up in highly visible places and a general change in technology, says Trudeau.
- Many local sightings have been via a Ring camera or video surveillance — meaning people would actually have no idea a bear had crossed through their yard if it weren't for today's tech.
What they're saying: "A bear in the D.C. area is going to generate a lot more commotion and get a lot more attention than a bear that's over in Garrett County," where people might be more used to seeing them, says Trudeau.
By the numbers: The Animal Welfare League of Arlington has received reports of a bear sighting at least once a year since 2018, a representative tells Axios.
- However, over the last two years, sightings have increased to three-to-four bears a year.
We could expect more bears in D.C. proper as the neighboring bear population continues to grow, says Lauren Crossed, the Humane Rescue Alliance's wildlife program manager.
- Bears spotted in D.C. are typically just passing through, as the city's densely populated and doesn't have much space for them to live, says Crossed.
Threat level: Oftentimes, people see bears and automatically get "The Revenant" vibes. "We've had a handful of people come up and ask about 'Cocaine Bear,'" says Crossed.
- Luckily, there are no Leonardo DiCaprio-munching or illegal drug-snorting beasties in these parts — we have black bears, which are very docile and scared of humans, says Crossed.
"I just tell people to appreciate that experience," says Trudeau of encountering a black bear IRL, pointing out that only 10-12% of Maryland residents have ever seen one in the wild.
Bear-a-cade tips: Make sure you're not leaving out bear treats like bird feeders, garbage, grills, or pet food.
If you encounter a bear, don't panic or approach it. Instead, back away slowly, and make sure the bear isn't cornered and has an escape route.
- If it doesn't leave, make loud noises to scare it off.
You generally don't need to be worried about pets with shy black bears, but it's always a good idea to keep your pet on a leash when it comes to possible wildlife interactions, Crossed tells Axios.
If you see a bear in D.C., call HRA and report it, adds Crossed.
- If you're in Virginia, call the state's Department of Wildlife Resources. In Maryland, call the Department of Natural Resources.