Rhode Island Woman Fights Off Bear That Broke Into Her Car

NARRAGANSETT, RI — A woman is safe after a curious bear tried to see what was going on in the car she was in Tuesday afternoon in a yard near Camp Varnum. Narragansett Animal Control said the bear opened the car door and the woman "fought to shut it from the inside."

Animal Control said that although it can be "cool" to have an encounter with them, black bears can run up to 30 miles per hour. People who see them should secure themselves as soon as they can, they said.

Black bear sightings have also increased recently as populations grow in neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut.

The state wildlife experts advise residents to not feed the bears as they come out of hibernation after the winter months.

Some tips to keep the bears (and other wildlife like raccoon) out of your yards: Bird seed has a high protein content and is attractive to bears, experts recommend if you know bears are nearby you should be remove the seed from feeders by early April until November. Keep garbage cans secured or stored inside shed or garage until the morning of trash pickup. Keep grills clean to minimize attractive odors. Do not leave pet food outside over night.