WATCH: Young bear spotted in Union County back yard

UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A late night stroll by a juvenile black bear was caught on camera in Jonesville last week.

Video captured by a home’s Blink security system shows the bear approaching the porch of a home, rummaging through plants and attempting to get a snack from a bird feeder.

The Upstate is a regular habitat for bears, and the late spring and summer months are typically when juvenile bears leave their mothers and start fending for themselves. As such, they can occasional make their way into neighborhoods and other areas where people normally reside.

This year there have been multiple recordings of young bears foraging in local neighborhoods.

DNR offers these suggestions to cope with bears:

• No feeding: A bear that becomes accustomed to having food provided is an accident waiting to happen; don’t feed a bear the first time and it will likely leave the area soon.
• No garbage: Keep garbage in tightly shut or bear-proof trash cans; garbage left in the open or in the back of a truck is an open invitation for a bear.
• Pet food storage: Store pet food properly if kept outside; put pet food in airtight storage containers and don’t leave leftover food out in the open.
• Clean grills: Keep charcoal and gas grills covered and clean to keep food odors from attracting bears.
• Bird feed & feeders: If a bear starts getting into your bird feeders – and they will if given the chance – take them down and put them away for a while; the bear will move on quickly.  Or install the feeder on a rope or cable so it can be raised and lowered.
• Beehives: If you’re going to have beehives in bear territory, protect your investment with an electric, bear-proof fence.

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