Bear sightings in parish taper off

By Matthew Penix
St. Tammany News
Published on Monday, March 2, 2009 9:10 AM CST

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Sightings of a Louisiana black bear fizzled Friday, a day after the 3- to 4-foot tall 300-pound baby was reportedly seen at the Tammany Trace for the second time roaming through Mandeville on an eastward trek from Iberville Parish.

The bear was first sighted last week 10 miles east of Perilloux Road around Louisiana Highway 22 east of Madisonville.

Relating a message from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Sheriff Jack Strain said, “Louisiana Black bears are not predatory or aggressive by nature,” and anyone who sees the beer should be cautious but not scared.

Black bears, wonderers by nature and known to trek 40,000 acres during summer mating months, are typically docile and only forage for fruits and berries. It’s possible the young adult male has started that voyage from the home of many Louisiana bears, the Atchafalaya Wildlife Refuge, said Johnathan Bordelon, a regional biologist with LDWF.

Lisa Maddox, executive director of the Tammany Trace, where the bear was allegedly sighted Thursday between Mandeville and Abita Springs, said she found no such evidence of a roaming bear.

“There’s no bear. No poo. No tracks, nothing,” she said.

Wildlife and Fisheries officials also could not confirm the sighting, but urged anyone who spots the bear to call their office at 800-442-2511.

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