Documentary educates public about bears and trash | Environment

A new documentary about bears and trash will air on digital signal TV this Saturday, June 9 on channel 30.1. in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The documentary is supposed to highlight the problem of trash specifically in Raton, and how it affects bears and bear managers. It was produced by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

There is a large bear population that sometimes comes in conflict with the residents who live near the mountains. The department reported 163 incidents of black bears killing livestock, raiding trashcans, campers and bird feeders.

This year New Mexico conservation officers are handling reports of bears killing and injuries livestock and people in Northern New Mexico. Citizens are encouraged to dispose of their trash properly in order to not attract bears to their homes.

The Department of game and Fish is also working with counties in Northern New Mexico to receive a grant to provide bear-resistant dumpsters. The department hopes the documentary will inform the public of the problem between bears and poorly-disposed trash.