Black bear on Palmer crime spree

A juvenile black bear making rounds in Palmer is dining in dumpsters and eating through things one wouldn't normally think of as edible. Like a newspaper box, said Palmer Police Chief George Boatright. "He ate about a third of it up," he said.

And there was a report from a homeless person saying his tent, camped out in the woods, was rummaged by the bear. Someone else called to say the family cat was eaten by the bear, but Boatright said he couldn't confirm that.

"He's a 2- to 3 year-old bear, probably one that mom kicked loose this spring," Boatright said. "From what I understand, there's an abundance of black bear, and maybe this is a situation where a bigger bear ran him off from his place in the wild. Now he's found a place where he can pick up easy food and survive, and he's not going away."

So far, the bear hasn't threatened anyone, but he has caused damage, Boatright said. Police are asking the public to use caution because bears can be dangerous and unpredictable.

Reports of bear visits in the Palmer area started coming in two weeks ago. He had been spotted in the Valley Trails subdivision and rambling in the Palmer High School area May 16 and 17.

A homeowner off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway reported the bear in the backyard, and someone else called in a sighting from Edinborough Road last week. Peking Garden reported the bear was in their dumpster but had fled west into the woods before officers arrived.

By Tuesday, Palmer Police had not received calls from people announcing the bear's latest routes, which could mean the bear has left the area. But police continue to urge people to be cautious if any bears show up again, Boatright said.

Palmer police are advising people to call 745-4811 if they spot the black bear. The bear might be cute, but he can cause big trouble, they said.