Residents of the Double Diamond neighborhood south of Alpine are being urged to exercise caution following multiple sightings of a black bear in the area. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists are advising the community to take immediate steps to secure all attractants to prevent potential conflicts between humans and the bear.
The presence of bears near residential areas can lead to them associating humans with food unless proactive measures are taken. Community members are strongly advised to move all livestock and pet feed inside a sturdy building or a bear-resistant container. Additionally, feeding wildlife near homes should be limited during this active bear season to avoid attracting bears.
To further mitigate human-bear conflicts, TPWD recommends adhering to the following BearWise Basics:
- Never feed or approach bears.
- Secure pet food, garbage, bird feeders, livestock feed, and poultry, especially at night.
- Remove outside pet food at night and feed pets indoors.
- Clean and securely store outdoor grills.
- Inform neighbors and TPWD staff about any bear activity.
If a bear is spotted near residences, it is crucial to:
- From a safe distance, make loud noises to scare the bear away—shout, bang pots and pans, set off a car alarm, or honk a vehicle horn.
- After the bear has left, ensure that all attractants are secured or removed.
- Encourage neighbors to do the same.
- Report the sighting to TPWD staff.
For more information on how to prevent bears from accessing food sources in human-dominated landscapes, residents can visit BearWise.org. The community’s cooperation is essential in keeping both residents and wildlife safe.
