For almost a month, folks in Enosburgh had repeatedly seen a bear with an old metal milk can stuck around its neck. Saturday, June 1, a team effort from biologists, Game Wardens and an Enosburgh resident allowed the bear to be safely captured and freed from the milk can, game wardens said June 4.
“While we’re unsure of how the bear got stuck in the can and why it was drawn to it, this story serves as an important reminder of how curious and food-driven bears are. If you live in Vermont, you live in bear country, and we are all responsible for discouraging bears from seeing our yards as food sources,” Fish & Wildlife advised readers on its Facebook post. “Coexistence is key for bears’ future in Vermont and our part in that includes keeping our food, compost and waste items cleaned up or secure.”
As bear populations expand, Vermont residents might see them more often. If you are concerned about a bear, please report a human safety situation to your local warden, regional office or through the F&W online web reporting form.
The only action that guarantees a dead bear is feeding it, intentionally or not. Each bear situation is different and there are many options to remedy a bear issue, Fish & Wildlife said.
Video, photo provided by Vermont Fish & Wildlife