Due to drought conditions, the adult male bear had been attracted to the area by food sources, said Pat O'Brien, Arizona Game and Fish Department spokesman. O'Brien emphasized, "Food and food odors attract bears, particularly during periods when their natural food source is not readily available. Unfortunately, bears that become accustomed to human-supplied food sources must often be destroyed."

Game and Fish officials had met with residents of the Roosevelt Estates on May 12, following a bear sighting at the trailer park. At that time officers cautioned residents to secure all food and garbage that might attract bears to their homes.

Officers set traps for the bear on May 15.

Game and Fish Field supervisor Craig McMullen received a report that the bear had gotten into a freezer on May 29. It returned the evening of May 30, when it was observed eating from a dog dish and was shot by one of the residents.

McMullen said that some of the residents of Roosevelt Estates were helpful in minimizing bear attractants but others failed to keep food unavailable to the bear. As a result, the bear was repeatedly rewarded with food during its forays into town. The incident clearly illustrates that total community support is needed to minimize conflicts with wildlife.

Game and Fish officials emphasize the necessity for residents in bear country to never feed bears and to keep food supplies tightly secured. Remember:
• Wild bears fear humans — fed bears do not.
• Wild bears avoid developed areas — fed bears do not.
• Wild bears rely on natural food — fed bears rely on food from humans.
• Bears that are attracted to human food sources may cause property damage and injure people.
• Fed bear cubs learn to associate humans with food and continue this habit to adulthood.
• Most conflicts between humans and bears arise as the result of human-supplied foods.