St. Louis-area black bear sightings to rise, conservationists say

ST. LOUIS — Countless black bears used to call Missouri home before Europeans colonized the land. The bears have been considered rare since 1850 and were nearly eliminated by 1931 before reintroduction efforts in Arkansas gave the animals a fighting chance, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

A small remnant of Missouri's historical black bear population remains in the southern Ozarks, and the bears have since been making a slow comeback thanks to conservation efforts. The population has been growing each year and has expanded as far northward as St. Louis County, an MDC spokesperson told 5 On Your Side.

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"MDC has been getting multiple reports of black bears being sighted in the St. Louis region within the last month," the department said on its website. "It’s common for MDC to receive reports of bears in counties like Jefferson, Franklin, Washington and Crawford.  Black bears are becoming a growing part of the St. Louis regional landscape, even at times in highly populated areas such as St. Louis and St. Charles counties."

Most of the bears seen around St. Louis, Franklin and Jefferson counties are usually younger bears dispersing away from their natural range, the spokesperson said. Bear activity at large usually increases during late spring and early summer as bears emerge from hibernation and mothers kick last season's newborns out of the den.

Black bears are generally a shy and non-aggressive species, but MDC posted numerous tips for staying safe in areas where bears have been reported just in case, including:

• Never offer a bear food.
• Consider carrying bear spray while hiking or camping.
• Store all food and trash in a secure vehicle or strung high between two trees. Never in a tent.
• Make noise while hiking to prevent surprising a bear. Travel in a group if possible and keep dogs leashed.
• Don't use birdfeeders in bear country from April through November, the scent of which can attract bears.
• Use electric fencing to keep bears away from beehives, chicken coops, vegetable gardens, orchards, and other potential food sources.

See more tips at MDC's website here.

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