Quick Take
- Bears have been increasingly going into human environments in search of food.
- Neighborhood trash cans, campsites, or hiking bags are all potential sources of food for bears.
- Bears can smell odors from miles away, making it important to secure food in ways that limit odor leakage.
Bears love food; it’s as simple as that. They’ll do everything they can to ensure their next meal, even if it means getting close to humans. While typically solitary animals, bears are more often approaching human environments to get their hands on some food. This YouTube Short by @viralhog shows a bear digging into a trash can in a park, even with humans close by. Read here to learn why bears display so much confidence when looking for food in human-dense areas.
Bears can smell odors from trash miles away from the source, luring them close to human campsites and environments.
©Tomas Hulik ARTpoint/Shutterstock.com
Why Bears Turn to Trash
In the short above, a bear is seen digging through a trash can, pulling out a bag full of leftover food, all in the hopes of getting a meal. This amazing sight is not an uncommon occurrence near campsites in certain areas. Despite all the human commotion around the animal, the bear shows little reaction. Bears often perceive human trash as a source of food because it is a perfect place to find open containers and leftovers. Bears have an amazing sense of smell and can detect food from miles away. They are also opportunistic feeders, or simply put, they try to get the most calories with the least amount of energy possible.
Trash cans that are not properly maintained offer a constant source of food. When bears repeatedly find food in human environments, they can become habituated and lose their natural fear of people, sometimes becoming quite bold in their actions. These large mammals can become irritable, unpredictable, and extremely dangerous to humans, especially if they’re hungry. If a bear shows up, it is important to stay calm, make yourself look bigger, and slowly back away. Carrying bear spray is always a smart choice as well. It’s important not to run quickly, as it can trigger a chase. Do not approach the bear or try to scare it off, as shown in the video above.
Bear canisters are specially made containers to protect scented items while backpacking, perfect for camping.
©Tony Campbell/Shutterstock.com
How To Prevent Bears Visiting Your Trash
There are a few ways to help make sure your trash is bear-proof, and it starts with reducing odor. Since bears are attracted to scent, reducing leakage is a great help. You can do this by double-bagging trash, cleaning the container regularly, and not leaving food scraps out. If possible, locking lids to deny access entirely is a great way to disincentivize any scrounging. When camping, maintain proper food storage. Have a separate cooking area away from the sleeping area. Storing food in cars or in bear canisters is a great way to hide odor as well.
