Wilsonia Village

Happy Thanksgiving Wilsonia friends and neighbors!

Looks like a cold, but sunny Thanksgiving for Wilsonia. Nothing more to report on the bear problem. Let’s hope it has moved on... but assume it is still searching for food in Wilsonia. PLEASE, If you are celebrating the holiday at your cabin, be extra cautious with food and garbage. If you hold a NPS pass, and are enjoying visiting the trees this weekend, there are dumpsters for your picnic trash at the Columbine picnic area.

Update from the NPS bear tech: The bear that was trapped was fitted with an ear tag/transmitter, then released. This bear was a small yearling. Based on tracks and game camera evidence, it does not appear to be the problem bear. For safety reasons, traps are not normally set during the day. However, since it is off season, with fewer people around, the trap has been set around the clock, and is being monitored by rangers. The trap likely will not be set Thursday and Saturday ...due to bear tech staff unavailability. Bears are no longer relocated. Instead, problem bears are tagged and radio collared so they can be monitored and hazed away. Wilsonia folks, please be extremely cautious with food and garbage. If you see a bear, haze it away with loud noises. If you have an emergency situation call 911. To report bear activity or damage call NPS Dispatch at 559-565-3196.

Another bear break-in last Friday at Haile’s cabin on Willow, this is the third time at this location. A cub was trapped. The trap was to be reset to try to catch the sow. No word yet from the NPS on what the next plan of action is. If you are traveling to Wilsonia for Thanksgiving... PLEASE use extreme caution with food and garbage handling. There is NO garbage or recycling service in Wilsonia in the winter.

The Recycle bin has been emptied and locked up and the garbage residue from the bear has been cleaned up. Bear traps have been set in the Wilsonia parking lot and in the NPS maintenance yard. We are hoping the trouble maker can be caught and relocated to a better location with more natural food.

PLEASE... The Recycle Bin is NOT for trash and garbage disposal. Some people forgot or ignored that fact! As a result a bear broke in to get to the garbage. Please pass the word along to anyone who uses your cabin. Our bear problem will escalate unless we all become more diligent. The NPS has been notified, plus we will be locking up the recycle bin for the season. There is no garbage service in Wilsonia from November until May. Visit Wilsonia with the backpackers’ rule... pack it in, pack it out.