Be Alert - Bear Sighting - Dittmer-Watts Trail Park
There was a black bear sighted yesterday on the Rhododendron Trail at Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park. Please, be aware of your surroundings when enjoying our trails. We share our trails with many wildlife species and should be prepared in case we encounter them. Be advised that wearing headphones could prevent you from hearing wildlife approaching and it is not recommended.
If you encounter a bear or other potentially harmful wildlife, do not approach them. Back away slowly and head in the opposite direction. Please see this additional guidance from BearWise.org
BearWise Safety Tips
Whether you’re going for a day hike, out for a jog or a bike ride, headed to a campground or just taking your dog out for a stroll, being BearWise outdoors can help you have fun, stay safe and keep bears wild.
It’s Better Together
Walk, hike, jog, cycle and camp with others when possible. You’ll have someone to share the fun with and pitch in and help out if something unexpected happens.
Through the Eyes of Children
There’s nothing quite like seeing the great outdoors through the curious, wondering eyes of a child to make us grownups stop and really appreciate the wild world around us. Keep kids keep close by and within sight, and make sure they each have a safety whistle just in case. Talk to them about what cool animals bears are and what to do if they see a bear. Then practice before you go.
Tune in to Nature
Stash your earbuds, silence your phones and listen to Mother Nature’s 24/7 podcast; it will be music to your ears. Being distracted in the outdoors can be just as dangerous as driving distracted … accidents happen when you’re not paying attention. You’ll be surprised at all the interesting things you’ll notice when you take time to stop, look and listen.
Leave No Trace
Double-bag food and snacks, or pack in a dry bag. Be sure to include a bag you can use to pack out all food and trash; don’t leave anything behind, including seemingly harmless things like apple cores, banana peels and trail mix. Food or trash left along the trail teaches bears and other wildlife to associate trails with food. Plus, many snacks formulated for humans contain levels of sodium and other ingredients that can be harmful or even lethal to wildlife.
