PRINCETON, Ky. — In response to recent bear sightings, Caldwell County Animal Control has urged residents to exercise caution when outdoors.
Charles Black, a resident of Caldwell County, said that he saw a black bear on his property over the weekend. The bear was spotted again on Black’s property Sunday evening.
Black has lived in Caldwell County for more than 40 years, and he had never seen a bear in the area before this incident.
Charles Black, a resident of Caldwell County, points to where he saw a black bear on his property.
Kevin Lane, a Caldwell County Animal Control officer and the director of the Caldwell County Animal Shelter, suspects that the bear Black saw is no longer nearby.
Still, he emphasized that the bottom line when dealing with a bear is not to panic.
“If he sees you're frightened, he's going to be,” Lane said. “Don’t panic. Don't run. Just turn around and get away.”
In the event of a bear sighting, the National Parks Service recommends talking to the bear in a low, calm voice to alert the bear that it’s not alone. Surprising a bear with loud noises or sudden movements may frighten it and cause a defensive reaction.
Kevin Lane suspects that the bear Black saw is no longer in the area.
The National Parks Service also said that a victim should not play dead if attacked by a black bear. This advice is reserved for incidents involving brown or grizzly bears, which should be treated differently from the black bear spotted in Caldwell County.
Lane did not see bear attacks as a significant threat in this situation. Instead, he urged residents to take preventive measures to minimize potential contact with bears.
Since bears are often attracted to food waste, Lane recommended that Caldwell County residents keep their garbage secured.
He also advised that, for the time being, children in the area should not be left alone outdoors.
“He's just passing through,” Lane said. “He's not going to hurt nobody as long as he's not approached.”
Lane said that the bear Black spotted was most likely young and had been separated from its mother. Based on past sightings, he guessed that it was headed south and had already left the area.
