First Seasonal Bear Sightings Reported

Fairfax County Police Department
Public Information Office
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Va. 22030
703-246-2253. TTY 703-204-2264. Fax 703-246-4253
FCPD-PIO@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police
News Release: 2011/0545/LHC/(5)
June 10, 2011

First Seasonal Bear Sightings Reported

Reston Police District - Police received the first seasonal reports of bear sightings in 2011 on Thursday, June 9 around 6:30 a.m. near Holly Briar Lane in Great Falls. Callers reported a medium-sized black bear crossing the road near Hollyview Drive, heading toward the woods. Police also received three reports on Friday, June 10 around 6:30 a.m. near Bennington Woods Road, Stowe Road, and a walking trail near Autumn Wood Drive.
According to animal control officers, it is not unusual to see black bears at this time of year and residents should not panic or feel alarmed when they see one.

Bears typically avoid humans, but in their search for food it is not uncommon to see one. Most often, bears will keep moving through an area once they fail in their attempts to find food. Unless the animal is sick or injured, or poses a threat to public safety, animal control officers do not take actions to attempt to remove bears from a neighborhood. Black bears have a natural fear of humans, and in most cases, would rather flee than encounter people.

If addressed quickly, wildlife issues caused by food attractants in yards can be resolved almost immediately. Take the following precautions to keep bears and other wildlife away from your home:

Do not store trash on porches, decks or in vehicles.
If a bear is sighted in your neighborhood, remove birdfeeders.
Take garbage to the curb on the morning of pickup, rather than the night before.
Consider installing electric fencing around gardens, dumpsters and other potential wildlife sources. Electric fencing is an inexpensive and efficient proven deterrent against bears.