A bear and two cubs were sighted on Sunday, roaming along the shoreline in the 1800 and 1900 block of South Main Street in Lakeport.
Police reported the sighting shortly before 1 p.m.
Terry Knight, outdoors columnist for the Record-Bee, speculated that the normally nocturnal animals were in search of food and water. Last month he traced bear tracks through the residential park in the 1900 block. Likely this is the same family.
“It”s found food. It wouldn”t be there otherwise,” Knight observed. “Bears will eat anything.”
Lakeport police urge residents to use caution when outside. If sighted do not approach, do not run, make yourself as big as you can and make noise. Back away and get indoors. A mother bear can be aggressive when with cubs.
Knight said the danger often comes when bears enter a residential area with narrow alleys or yards, in which the cubs may become separated.
“They can be very dangerous,” he said. “Black bears kill more people than grizzlies.”
At this time of year, bear cubs generally weigh in at 65 pounds. They stay with the mother for up to a year.
Knight reports that 10 bear sightings have been called in to him over the past two weeks from communities close to the lake, mostly from the Nice-Lucerne area. He warned people against leaving food out for the animals.
