Thursday, July 22, 2010

Too Close For Comfort

Checking out the compost. I took this photo through the screen door.
A small black bear wandered into my back yard yesterday afternoon. I was outside with my back to the steps on the deck reading the paper when something black walked through a corner of my vision. I thought it was a very large dog and was about to order it out of the yard when I realized what it really was.
I live in town, but near the edge. Moose have wandered by, deer have been in the yard, skunks even, but this was the first bear. I hope it is also the last.


I got braver and stepped on the deck for this photo.  It's trying to find a way out of my yard.

Stymied by the fence.

It checked out my garden, then climbed the side fence to the neighbour's yard and went up a tree for a while. Eventually it got down and went to a yard across the alley.
I regret that this story does not have a happy ending. Bears have been removed from town, but always came back. For safety reasons relocation was not an option.
I am sorry.

13 comments:

messymimi said...

Leah, I am so sorry, for the bears and for us, that these things have to end that way.

I also hope it is the last bear to wander into your yard.

Tabor said...

Always that balance between what we have and what we share and what is safe. I am glad we do not have bears because that would limit my early morning or evening explorations of the yard.

the Bag Lady said...

I'm sorry it ended badly for the bear.
I am glad, though, that you had the presence of mind to grab your camera!

Leah J. Utas said...

Messymimi, it was sad. The bear probably got turn around and confused.

Tabor, it's a tough balance to strike.

Bag Lady, grabbing the camera was my first thought once I realized what it was.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

What a shame for the bear, who was probably just confused. It would've very likely come back, though. It's sad there isn't a better option.

Leah J. Utas said...

That was the issue, Bunnygirl. It probably would have returned. It was already not scared of humans so there was nothing to stop it.

Reb said...

Oh My! It's too bad they can't relocate them further away so they can't come back. I'll bet you haven't gone from relaxed and reading to inside the house so fast, um, ever! I know I would have broken records for speed! I am glad you stepped out for the last couple of shots though. ('cause I know you did it safely)

Leah J. Utas said...

I also wish Teddy could have been relocated. Reb, I've never gone on alert so fast.
As for safety I leaned against the screen door and stayed in the doorway. No chances taken here.

Barbara Martin said...

It's a shame for that to happen. It looks to be a young bear who has found that scrounging for food in a human community is easy pickings. The animal control didn't relocate it far enough.

Rice Lake, north-east of Toronto, is currently swarming with a rather large population of black bears. Unfortunately when civilization encroaches on the bears' territory there are bound to be complications and confrontations.

I'm glad to hear you had the presence of mind to high tail it to the house.

Leah J. Utas said...

Yes, it was a shame, Barbara. You're right about the easy food.
I'm glad my back was turned to it when it came in the yard. I don't know what I would have done if I'd see it head on.

Hilary said...

My heart sank when I read that it didn't turn out well for the bear. I sure understand why.. just hate that it has to be that way. Mostly, I'm glad you're safe.

Leah J. Utas said...

Hilary, it was awful. The bear was probably lost and confused and hungry. That said, I'm still peering out cautiously before I step outside.

Cheryl Kohan said...

Wow! That would have scared the dickens out of me!

It's too bad that there isn't more room for all wildlife and human life but there's just not. Something has to give and I guess it's nature that is sacrificed. You're right...it's a tough balance to strike.