Department of Natural Resources wildlife officials remind Michigan residents that as black bears continue to move southward, individual bears may enter urban areas or be spotted in neighborhoods or other residential areas.

In most cases, these bears are simply passing through and pose little risk to people.

In rare cases bears may become habituated to people or confined in urban areas and have difficulty leaving. For these types of situations, the DNR has a "problem bear" policy that attempts to balance human safety concerns with the health and welfare of the bear. DNR personnel will assess the threat the bear poses to public safety and determine a course of action. In most cases, non-lethal techniques will be used to remove problem animals.

Black bears, although large and potentially dangerous, usually are relatively timid. Attacks on humans are rare. Most actual bear attacks involve bears who are food-conditioned or are habituated and have lost their natural fear of people. However, never approach or feed bears or get between a mother bear and her cubs. If you see cubs, keep a safe distance. Mom is almost always nearby.

In areas where bears are known to be present, the following simple rules can prevent human-bear conflicts from developing:

• Make sure that human food and other attractants such as garbage, bird feeders, pet food, etc. are not available to bears passing through your area.
• Bird feeders are a very common cause of bears in developed areas. Take feeders down during the summer or hang them in such a way that bears do not have access to them. This includes all kinds of bird feeders, even hummingbird feeders.
• BBQ grills should be cleaned after use and/or secured in a garage or locked shed.
• Keep garbage secured in a garage or locked shed and do not put out for pickup until the morning of pickup.

To report bear sightings during regular Monday-to-Friday business hours, contact your local DNR office. After regular business hours and during weekends problems should be reported to the 24-hour Report All Poaching hotline at (800) 292-7800. In residential areas, emergencies involving bears can be reported to local law enforcement or by dialing 911.

For more information on bears and preventing bear problems, contact your local DNR office, or go to the black bear page on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr.