Reports range from a brown bear attempting to climb a fence to gain entry into a dog lot to a brown bear sow and cub chasing a moose calf across a back yard.Southcentral Fish and Game biologist Rick Sinnott confirmed that he has heard of a troublesome bear in the area, but he noted that it has posed no threat to humans to his knowledge.

"So far it has avoided humans," he said. "And I've only heard reports of a large male brown bears being in the area."

Sinnott added that reports indicate the bear is feeding on the low number of salmon that spawn near the mouth of Peters Creek.

"I believe the bear will move on once the supply of salmon is gone," Sinnot said. "Plus the moose calves are maturing and are not the easy targets they were when they were younger."

The presence of bears in the area is unusual.

"We're always concerned when a brown bear is running around on that side of the Glenn Highway," Sinnott said. "Typically they stay in the hills and mountains. So it is odd for one or even multiple brown bears to be roaming the area."

Reports of the brown bears began in late June. The first sighting involved a bear roaming around a dog lot on Klondike Drive. Later reports put a bear in the area between Beach Lake and the Birchwood Airport.

The most recent report had a bear chasing a dog in the area of White Birch Road and Helluva Road off North Birchwood Loop.

According to an alert sent out by the Birchwood Community Council, one resident on J&K Lane witnessed a sow with a cub chasing a moose calf through his yard and across the street.

"The neighborhood is on the lookout for the bears," said community council president Bobbi Wells. "We just want to make sure everyone is aware the bears are in the area so no one, or their animals, gets attacked."

In addition to the presence of brown bears, Sinnott reports that several black bears wearing radio collars have been tracked in the area as well.

"We had one large black bear hit by a vehicle a couple weeks ago on the Glenn Highway headed toward Anchorage," he said. "It was maybe 300 pounds. These black bears normally stay around Elmendorf and Fort Richardson, but we've spotted them as far away as Eklutna."

Sinnott said black bears pose less of a risk to humans and animals in the area, but like brown bears, they are still dangerous.

"People just need to be aware and be cautious," he said. "Everyone should make sure they don't have anything out that will attract bears, such as trash or bird feeders. If they don't smell a food source, they will most likely just pass by."

Sinnott said if someone spots a bear near home the best thing to do is get inside and give the bear space.

"Screaming or loud noises will scare off a black bear, but I would not recommend it if you spot a brown bear, they might charge and attack," he said.

Shooting a bear in the area is not legal, unless the bear poses a direct threat to life or property.

"I would recommend calling us or the police to report a dangerous bear and let us deal with it," he said.

If the bear poses an immediate threat, call the Anchorage Police Department (911). In non-emergency cases report the bear to the Fish and Game office at 267-2257.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, July 16, 2009.