Two Dangerous Animals You Could Encounter In EG

Do you know there are two top level predators that may consider East Greenwich as part of their habitat? Although sightings of these predators are rare, you need to know what to do in case you are confronted by one of these majestic and elusive animals.

Rhode Island Is a Refuge for Young Black Bears

A black bear mother literally chases its cubs out of its habitat two years after they are born. If you have a friend that has a child in their thirties who still live in the basement, you may want to tell them what black bear mothers do. This may be the reason why young black bears find themselves in Rhode Island, looking for their own habitat.

If you followed the news last spring, a black bear was blamed for killing four sheep in South Kingstown. The Department of Environmental Management sent an official to look for the bear. But the official never found it. My guess is that the bear moved into Connecticut or Massachusetts. But there is a possibility that it is still in Rhode Island.

How to Protect Yourself Against a Black Bear

Make noise. Be very loud. Hopefully you will have a plethora of friends with you so all of you will make crazy, menacing noises. Do not be submissive and do not run away. You cannot outrun a black bear. If you are hiking with one other friend, at least outrun your friend so that the bear catches your friend first. Then you have the easy job of calling for help while your friend tussels with the bear. But seriously, try to hit the bear in the nose with a nearby rock or with your backpack. Black bears need their noses more than we do, so it may run away if bopped hard on the nose.

DEM made a brochure about black bears. It can found at the following link. http://1.usa.gov/nC6XQl

One of my favorite parts of this brochure is the "Don't Fear the Bears" phrase. I totally agree with this statement. Do not fear them. Unless you see one in your backyard or out in the woods while hiking. In that case, fear would be a positive thing because seeing a large predator and being scared go hand in hand. Fear will actually help you run a bit faster from a dangerous situation.

New England Is Now Cougar Country

I thought it was huge news that the DEM reversed their position on a mountain lion sighting in Matunuck and actually confirmed the sighting!  More on this can be found at this link . In most cases when a Rhode Islander spots a mountain lion, the DEM tells the person that it must have been a large coyote or bobcat and that is the end of the story.

This is very frustrating for the people that actually see the long tail, the black vertical marks on its muzzle or the cold stare of its eyes. After reviewing a map of southern Rhode Island, I can see how an elusive mountain lion could find shelter and food in the Great Swamp area.

How to Protect Yourself Against a Mountain Lion

Do not play dead! You must fight back! Make yourself look bigger. Stare at the mountain lion. Do not take your eyes off of its face. If you have a child with you, pick up the child to protect him or her. But you have to fight if it attacks. Throw a rock, back away, yell, call for help. So fight the good fight, but do fight.

Overall, the chances of seeing one of these secretive animals are extremely small. Being approached and attacked are infinitesimally small. But if it does happen, take a picture, put down the phone and put up your dukes.