Drought impacting human interaction with wildlife

Ashland, Ore. –The drought across the west isn’t just impacting water levels and crops,it’s also changing how people interact with wildlife.

Over the past week, an Oregon man was attacked by a bear and a northern California six year old was injured by a mountain lion on a popular hiking trail.

These stories are part of a trend this year of more wildlife coming in close contact with humans.

“Wildlife like to go where the easy meals are at, and unfortunately sometimes that’s around people,” said Mark Vargas, biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Vargas says our regions drought has dried up a lot of the food sources for animals like bears and cougars higher in the mountains.

At Lithia park in Ashland, signs are posted all over warning hikersthat there have been bear sightings..

The Ashland Parks and Rec Department says in a typical summer, they get a dozen or so reports of bear sightings,but this summer, there are reports daily.

So what do you need to know if you come across a dangerous animal

-Don’t panic

-Give the animal a way to escape, step off the trail, and walk slowly

-Avoid direct eye contact

-Make loud noises

-Stand up tall and make yourself look big

-Hike with someone else, animals don’t like big groups

In the off chance your are attacked, fight back by using rocks, sticks, and your hands.