The Gorham Police Department has received several calls reporting a bear in the area around Lawn Ave and Sunset Ave. Residents have also seen the bear on the Claire Drew Trail behind Narragansett School and in a neighborhood on Old Dynamite Way. When natural foods are scarce, especially in the spring or dry summers, bears will venture into backyards and fields in search of easily accessible food such as bird feeders, garbage, grills and pet foods.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has the following suggestions to avoid a bear in your backyard:

• Bring in your bird feeders, rake up and dispose of any seed left on the ground, and store unused seed inside.
• Bring trash to the curb on the morning of trash pickup.
• Keep dumpster lids closed and do not allow the dumpster to overflow.
• Clean grills and empty the grease cup after each use. Do not discard grease on the ground. Burn-off any food residue and grease drippings, and discard food wrappers.

Gorham police are reminding residents to not approach a bear and to notify them if one is in your area.