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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Sandia Picnic Areas Closed Due to Bear Sightings


Associated Press
      Three picnic sites in the Sandia Mountains have been temporarily closed after bears began venturing into the area in search of food, a spokeswoman for the Sandia Ranger District said today.
    Karen Takai said Cienega, Sulphur and Doc Long picnic areas will be closed for two weeks after a bear took an ice chest from one site Sunday.
    "The bears are looking for food obviously to fatten up for the winter, and they're going after picnic baskets," Takai said.
    The state Game and Fish Department will trap bears that are frequenting the picnic sites and remove them from the area, she said.
    Bears that become habituated to finding food in such areas alter their food-gathering activities to search for food left unattended by campers and picnickers.
    Encounters between bears and humans become more dangerous as bears lose their natural fear of humans, the U.S. Forest Service said in a news release.
    People visiting the forest should not leave food or garbage bags unattended at picnic tables, campsites or work sites, the release said.
    Food should be stored in coolers inside a vehicle out of sight or in storage lockers when available. Bears have broken into vehicles when coolers have been left in plain view.
    Garbage should be placed in bear-resistant trash cans or be taken away if trash cans are full or unavailable, the release said.

Copyright ©2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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