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Unbearable Bear Behavior Closes Oak Island At Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

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Published Date

September 4, 2020
Black bear following people leads to closure at Oak Island at Apostle Island National Lakeshore/NPS file

A black bear following people has led to closure at Oak Island at Apostle Island National Lakeshore/NPS file

A bear that's been following park staff and visitors at Oak Island in Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has prompted closure of the island to the public.

“Multiple reports were received this month of a bear following researchers, park staff, and visitors and ignoring attempts to scare it away,” said park Superintendent Lynne Dominy. “For public and employee safety, we have restricted access to Oak Island to only park staff who are trained in bear deterrence techniques.”  

Oak Island, one of the largest and closest islands to the Wisconsin mainland, has a very high density of bears. This time of year, bears are in-between food sources. The berry season has ended and acorns and other nuts are not yet available, causing a reduction in their food supply and changes to their feeding behaviors. This happens annually, although most black bears avoid human interaction, run from noise, and respond to human attempts to scare them away.

“Trained staff haze bears with a variety of techniques, including those that make noise, have a flash of light, and rubber bullets to discourage their presence in visitor use areas and from approaching people,” said park Chief of Resource Management Julie Van Stappen. “Learning this behavior then enables the bears and the people to both use these islands without negative interactions.”

Remember, the park is bear country and bears can occur anywhere within the park: 

  •  Remain at least 50 feet from a bear.  
  •  If you encounter a bear on the trail, let it know you are there and back away slowly. If it follows you or doesn’t back away, make yourself big (raise your arms), and yell, until it leaves the area. 
  •  If a bear approaches you near a dock, campsite, or picnic area, make yourself big (raise your arms), and yell, until it leaves the area.  
  •  Be sure to keep your food and other smelly items locked on a boat or in a bear resistant food locker when not in use.  

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