Heres Eagan Police departments press release on the roaming black bear: Bear Sightings Created on Tuesday, 03 June 2014 13:16 Eagan Police are asking residents and visitors to be aware of a black bear which has been sighted in the southwest area of the City on multiple occasions beginning at 11:46 PM on June 2, through the late morning of June 3, 2014. The bear was first spotted by an Eagan Officer at 11:46 PM on June 2, 2014, in a residential area near the intersection of Slater and Rusten Roads. Four later reports originating by residents and motorists followed at 1:16 AM, 5:43 AM, 5:59 AM and 10:36 AM. The last sighting was near the intersection of Cliff and Johnny Cake Ridge Roads, where it appears the animal is moving in an easterly direction through the City. None of the reports indicate the bear has been involved in any nuisance or aggressive type of behavior. For the public’s awareness, the department has used its emergency notification system to advise homeowners, schools, and businesses of the bear’s sighting. All of these entities (8,758) located south of Diffley Road will be receiving this message. Anyone seeing the bear should report any sightings to the police by calling 911. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), black bears are not known to be aggressive, and if left alone, will move into an area with fewer people where there is less opportunity for problems. The DNR says when bears find a source of food they return regularly. A bear will take advantage of any food like substance available and will attempt to eat anything that resembles food in look, smell or taste. Therefore, residents are reminded to temporarily take-in birdfeeders, pet food, or other items a bear would target as nutrition. Additionally, residents should refrain from placing their garbage at the curbside on the evening prior to their scheduled garbage pick-up day. Rather, place garbage receptacles on the curbside the morning of pick-up. More information related to dealing with black bears and other wild animals can be found on the DNR’s website at: dnr.state.mn.us/livingwith_wildlife/bears/index.html
Posted on: Wed, 04 Jun 2014 07:31:14 +0000