Wildlife encounters on the rise in Sonoma’s wooded regions

So far this year, four Sonoma County regions have experienced bears in their midst, including Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, which recently reported a black bear ambling across a critter-cam’s view on July 13 – and the next day at nearby Hood Mountain, caught by another critter-cam (a motion-activated camera located to keep tabs on wandering wildlife).

Other places also received bear reports, including downtown Healdsburg in May when a young black bear wandered city streets almost to the town plaza before returning to its lair, somewhere on Fitch Mountain. Santa Rosa and Sebastopol residents also reported late-night sightings. Windsor and Sebastopol have also caught glimpses of traditionally elusive mountain lions, with sightings in both June and July, respectively.

For many locals, the news that bears are back is good news. John Roney, park manager at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, said when black bears with cubs were seen in 2015 for the first time in many years, it signified a full-time presence, not just a transient presence of black bears.

“After the fires, we were curious to see if the bears remain in the area. With the bears spotted at Hood Mountain Regional Park six or so weeks ago, it is some evidence, though not proof, that the bears are living around here as opposed to passing through.”

Roney isn’t sure why they have moved back in now. He suggested that bear populations in the north and east of the Mayacamas Mountain reached the area’s carrying capacity, and the bears moved to seek less populated areas.

Or perhaps it was just the fact that in the last few years the drop in the price of animal-sensing cameras has made them more ubiquitous, so rangers like Roney are just noticing the mountain lions and bears who have been here all along.

The July sightings were caught on one of 12 remote cameras set up in Sugarloaf, like those installed in most area parks to maintain a pulse on the region’s wildlife.

“Ironically, our new camera team set up their first camera the day before the fires started,” he said.

He said that the cameras are primarily used to track what animals are in the park and to create time-lapse photos to document plant regrowth and for education and engagement.

“Everybody loves a good animal photo,” he added.

Although the catalog of recent sightings may seem extensive enough for a worried citizen to lock their doors and stay out of nature’s way, Roney said given the area, there are very few bear and mountain lion sightings. “They see you, but fortunately they are typically very cautious around humans,” he said. “There have been no attacks in this area for many years.”

But these recent wildlife showings have sparked both concern and celebration among locals, yet regardless of the reaction to the animals everyone agrees that it’s good to know what to do when encountering one in person.

To start, hike in groups to avoid a chance meeting; both mountain lions and bears are often able to perceive large groups, which are generally louder and more pungent, at greater distances. This lessens the chance for close encounters.

According to the National Park Service (NPS), when either a bear or mountain lion has become aware that you are in its presence, the first, most crucial step is to stay calm.

Next, make your body as big as possible and identify yourself as a human rather than a prey. In order to do this effectively, stand up and avoid the four-limbed, animal-like allusion produced through bending and crouching, and move your extremities in slow, controlled movements; sudden motion may provoke the animal.

In the presence of a bear, speak softly, as loud voices or shouts may trigger an attack. The bear may respond by stepping forward and standing on its hind legs, but this position is intended to observe from better vantage and is often “curious, not threatening,” according to NPS.

If the bear stands still, do not run, but instead, slowly retreat in a sideways orientation, so as to non-threateningly maintain eye contact with the bear. If the bear begins to follow you, remain still and start from square one. If this method is ineffective, but the bear is still, be patient and wait it out until the bear makes the first retiring move and leaves the area.

Experts recommend almost the opposite approach when in the presence of a mountain lion. The NPS advises that humans “speak firmly in a loud voice.” If this does not scare away the mountain lion and it begins to approach you, face the big cat, throw any available materials at it and back up slowly.

Remember to be extra cautious and never place yourself in between the two when face to face with either a female bear and her cub or a female mountain lion and her kitten. Failure to do so will prompt feelings of danger and likely result in an attack; we all know how parents can be when it comes to their children.

To view video of recorded wildlife in Kenwood’s Sugarloaf Ridge StatePark, including at the time of the October fires, visit https://tinyurl.com/yadwlk9a on facebook.