One Southwest Virginia town seeing more and more black bears

The simple steps to follow in order to help both the bear and you

MARION, Va. – One Southwest Virginia town is addressing concerns black bears inside the town limits, after multiple people have reported seeing the animals. 

Marion is a quaint, rural town located in the mountains, so while it's great for people, it's also a perfect habitat for the North American black bear.

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Humans and bears can coexist when we humans follow the correct steps and rules:

  • Make your garbage can more bear-resistant by securing the lid with latches and never set out trash just in bags
  • Place garbage and recycling curbside the morning of pickup, not the night before
  • Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia
  • Don’t leave pet food outside
  • Harvest fruit off trees as soon as it is ripe
  • Keep barbecue grills clean
  • Bears are usually scared of humans and will run away if lights are turned on or people make noise. Black bears are highly adaptable and intelligent animals. 

    Never approach a bear. Instead, try to make noise that will cause it to leave. If the bear remains, call 911. 

    If it’s just passing through, remember -- bears love living there as well, so it's best to just let them pass.


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