EUGENE, Ore. – A resident of the Trainsong neighborhood is defending his decision to capture and relocate a baby black bear that had been spotted wandering through several Eugene neighborhoods over the weekend.
The bear, slightly larger than a cub but not yet fully juvenile, was reported by several residents in south and central Eugene, with sightings spanning from Harvard Drive to Discount Tire on West 11th Avenue. The Eugene Police Department confirmed at least one sighting of the young bear, which had made its way through backyards and local streets, prompting concern among residents.
On Sunday afternoon, a Trainsong neighborhood resident, who identified himself as “Oreon,” took matters into his own hands after spotting the bear near his home. Initially intrigued by the sight of the animal, Oreon quickly grew concerned as the bear ventured further into people’s yards and the park, getting closer to residential areas.
“At first, we were looking at it and thought it was cool, but then we noticed it was going through people’s yards,” Oreon explained. “It was pretty unusual for it to come to the park, and in people’s backyards, and just wandering the streets. Even though it’s a baby cub, it can still do a lot of damage to our animals and our kids.”
After observing the bear in the park, Oreon corralled the animal into a fenced corner, blocking it from escaping. Once the bear was contained, Oreon reached out to the Eugene Police Department for advice. According to Oreon, the police told him that unless the bear was actively causing harm or damage, they recommended leaving it alone.
“They said if it isn’t hurting anybody or causing any damage, just leave it alone and let it roam,” Oreon recounted.
Despite the police’s advice, Oreon was determined to protect the neighborhood. A neighbor lent him a dog leash, which he used to pull the bear into a cage. Oreon then transported the bear outside the city and released it back into the wild, far from residential areas.
While Oreon felt his actions were justified in ensuring the safety of both the neighborhood and the bear, not all residents shared his perspective. Some neighbors expressed disapproval, questioning whether relocating the bear was the right approach.
“Everyone is going to have their own opinion on it — whether getting rid of it or keeping it and letting it be,” Oreon said. “The right thing is the bear is out of here, not harmed, and nobody else was harmed. It’s safe and relocated.”
Both the Eugene Police Department and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) urge residents to stay away from wild animals, particularly bears, as spring brings wildlife out of hibernation. ODFW highlighted the dangers of habituation, where bears become accustomed to human activity and lose their natural fear, a situation that can lead to dangerous encounters. In some cases, habituated bears may need to be euthanized to protect public safety.
As wildlife activity increases in the spring, ODFW advises Eugene residents to take precautions to avoid attracting bears, including keeping pet food indoors, hanging bird feeders at least 10 feet off the ground, and regularly cleaning garbage containers.
For more information on living safely with bears, ODFW recommends visiting their website for tips and resources.
