City of Portland and state wildlife officials are warning visitors to the 5,200 acres of Forest Park to be on the lookout for a black bear or bears that have been spotted at least three times over the past several days.
Visitors to the park late last week reported seeing a black bear at three locations: near Northwest 53rd Avenue; along the area of Upper Saltzman and Fire Lane 5; and along the Leif Erickson Trail, a wide gravel path that’s especially popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. It’s not clear if it’s the same bear or different bears that have been spotted.
City officials have posted warning signs around the 80 miles of hiking trails through the park. They advise people who encounter bears not to run, to avoid eye contact, to make themselves look large and to make noise. Loud noise in the first place can avoid a run-in altogether. So can hiking in groups because groups tend to generate more noise, too. Dogs should be kept on leashes, which already is a rule in the park.
State wildlife officials have asked Portland parks employees to post signs warning of a black bear in Forest Park.
“While bears in Forest Park are not unheard of, the ODFW (Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife) says it is unique to have this many sightings over a short period of time,” the city posted on its Parks & Recreation Facebook page. “However, the ecology of Forest Park is hospitable to them.”
Anyone who sees a bear in the park should call the department’s Sauvie Island office at 503-621-3488. The office is only open on weekdays.
— Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com
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