Several bear sightings have been reported in residential areas over the past week in the Twin Lakes, with videos and pictures making the rounds on social media showing the creatures getting into area feeders or just roaming around searching for another meal.
Joe Williams with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) based out at Calico Rock says several factors are causing the uptick in sightings.
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According to the AGFC, black bears have been spotted near homes, trash bins, and wooded edges in multiple neighborhoods. Officials say the increased activity is likely due to bears foraging for food ahead of the hotter summer months.
Yearling male bears, in particular, are highly mobile in early summer. They can travel very long distances in search of a new place to call their home. This uptick in bear activity makes seeing a bear walking on the side of the road or through a wooded area near a home fairly common sight in Arkansas. Remembering that bears take the path of least resistance can help property owners deter the nuisance of an unwelcome visit.
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Residents are urged to secure garbage, remove outdoor pet food, and avoid approaching any bears. No injuries or aggressive behavior have been reported at this time.
For more information about bears and how to deter them visit the following link to the AGFC website.
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