Welcome to Mammoth Lakes. We hope you enjoy are beautiful scenery, friendly people, and abundant wildlife. Among the wildlife that you are likely to see during Spring, Summer and Fall are black bears. Mammoth Lakes has a resident population of black bears and later in the Summer and into the Fall, additional bears find their way into town to forage and get ready for their winter hibernation.
It is not unusual to see bears wandering through town. Enjoy them, but keep your distance. Bears are shy and generally afraid of people. Some bears will “bluff charge” if you don’t give them distance. If you feel threatened by a bear, yell or bang on something to scare the bear away. If by chance a bear enters a structure while you are inside, make a lot of noise and go into another room, close the door, and call 911. The bear will most likely be frightened more than you and leave.
Bears have excellent noses and they like human food. They recognize ice chests as food containers and will break into a car to get food or anything that resembles or smells like food. A bear can do a significant amount of damage to a vehicle.
It is everyone’s responsibility to KEEP WILDLIFE WILD. The best way of doing this, and preventing bears from becoming dependent on humans for food is to follow these common sense rules:
• Never feed any wildlife, or leave food out for bears or other wild animals.
• Securely store food and fragrant items such as shampoo and deodorant in an airtight container. When camping, use a bear proof box.
• Don’t leave food or fragrant items, even in a cooler, in a vehicle.
• Don’t leave pet food out doors or use a bird feeders. Bears love bird seed!
• Always deposit trash in a bear proof trash can or dumpster. Do not ever leave trash unsecured outdoors. Make sure to secure the lock on a dumpster.
• Keep your car locked and your garage door closed and locked.
• Close and lock ground floor windows when no one is home.
The Town of Mammoth Lakes has a world renowned Wildlife Specialist named Steve Searles. You may have seen him on the popular TV show “The Bear Whisperer” on Animal Planet. If you see a bear that is misbehaving, such as trying to get into a trash dumpster, vehicle, or building you can call Steve at (760) 937-BEAR or dial 911. If Steve is not available, all MLPD officers are trained and equipped to handle bear problems.
Daniel B. Watson Steve Searles
Chief of Police Wildlife Specialist
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