Seeing an American black bear can be a memorable experience, but we need your help to keep bears wild and people safe. Approaching, disturbing or feeding black bears is likely to have negative and dangerous outcomes for both bears and people. Feeding black bears not only poses a significant threat to humans and bear safety – it’s also illegal in California. Most black bear conflicts can be avoided by practicing basic bear safety guidelines.

American black bears are the only bear species found in California and range in color from blonde, black to cinnamon brown. They play an essential role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Bears help with dispersing native plant and berry seeds through their foraging habits. Additionally, they clean up dead fish and animals and keep hornet nests in check. In most cases, black bears are not a threat to people, but they do deserve our respect and attention. It’s important for visitors and residents in bear country to remain vigilant.

The most common human-bear conflicts involve unsecured attractants, such as garbage and human food.

“Black bears are very smart and opportunistic with an incredible sense of smell,” says Peter Tira, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Public Information Officer. “Once they learn that they can get food out of a tent, cooler, or car, they’ll learn to search those out.”

Four American black bears were brought to Oakland Zoo because of the most common threat these animals face—the human-wildlife conflict.

The mother sow, Cambria, and her three cubs, Kern, Pismo, and Tejon, became "habituated” to humans, often wandering the Pine Mountain Country Club area of Kern County in search of food. A habituated bear loses its natural fear of people, usually due to access to human food and garbage, which becomes addicting. These bears can become increasingly bold in their behavior, causing property damage and potential harm to people.

In June 2017, this family of bears brazenly entered an older woman's home, and Cambria inflicted a non-lethal injury on the homeowner who was trying to chase them out. Per state policy, Cambria was deemed a public safety threat. California Department of Fish and Wildlife considered the unique circumstances of the bear family and made an exception that resulted in keeping the public safe while giving the bears a second chance to live, by allowing them to be permanently placed at Oakland Zoo.

Not all bears that undergo encounters like this end up as lucky as Cambria and her cubs.

“With growing human populations and a large bear population, there are more human-bear conflicts now than ever before, leading to habituation and sows teaching problem behaviors to their cubs,” said Tira. “It comes down to all of us to be bear aware and follow precautions to keep people safe and bears wild.” 

In most cases, black bears are not a threat, but they deserve your respect and attention. When traveling in bear country and public lands, keep alert and enjoy the opportunity to see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.

To show what happens at a campsite that isn’t bear-proof, we set up a mock camping scene in the American black bear habitat and filmed the bears’ reactions.

Be mindful of where you set up camp

• Don’t set up camp close to a trail bears might use.
• Don’t camp along a stream; bears will use streams for food and water.
• Sleep in your tent, not out in the open. ‍

Keep a clean camp

• Wash your dishes and store waste in a bear-resistant place.
• Don’t cook near your tent and store all food away from your campsite in specially designed bear-resistant containers.

• Clean grills after use — leftover food scents can attract bears. ‍

Don't surprise a bear

• Make noise, sing, or talk loudly. Always let bears know you are there.
• Avoid thick brush whenever possible. When the terrain or vegetation makes it hard to see, make extra noise.
• Hike in a group and keep dogs on leash; groups are more accessible for bears to detect

If you see a bear

• Give bears space, especially when they have young with them.
• If the bear appears not to have sensed you, move away without alerting it. Keep your eyes on the bear.
• If a bear cannot tell what you are, it may come closer or stand on its hind legs to get a better look or smell. A standing bear is usually curious, not threatening.

 For more tips on protecting yourself in a bear encounter, view this article by National Park Service