WEBVTT 00:00.340 --> 00:02.262 - [Radio] Roger that, Mark, that time of year. 00:02.262 --> 00:03.960 - I'm sure, it's that time of year. 00:03.960 --> 00:07.600 - [Narrator] It is that time of year, this time of year. 00:07.600 --> 00:08.940 And this time, 00:08.940 --> 00:10.800 and this time. 00:10.800 --> 00:12.370 The wildlife in Alaska is beautiful, 00:12.370 --> 00:14.030 but it can also be dangerous. 00:14.030 --> 00:16.737 I'm new to JBER, and I had a ton of questions, so I thought, 00:16.737 --> 00:18.627 "Why not go straight to the source of information, 00:18.627 --> 00:20.797 "ask my questions, and capture the answers on video 00:20.797 --> 00:23.287 "so that everyone can learn this at the same time." 00:23.287 --> 00:24.360 (bell ringing) 00:24.360 --> 00:26.270 So I rode around with Mark Sledge, 00:26.270 --> 00:28.440 conservation law enforcement officer at JBER, 00:28.440 --> 00:31.440 to get some answers to some basic wildlife safety questions. 00:33.303 --> 00:36.670 (sirens blaring) 00:36.670 --> 00:38.540 Filmed on location with the men and women 00:38.540 --> 00:40.550 of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson 00:40.550 --> 00:42.970 Conservation Law Enforcement. 00:42.970 --> 00:47.113 - Right now, our biggest issue is dumpsters, 00:48.210 --> 00:51.450 unsecured dumpsters, not bear resistant. 00:51.450 --> 00:55.130 They're the plastic lids, things like the sliding doors, 00:55.130 --> 00:58.050 and our little bears are just having a field day. 00:58.050 --> 01:01.593 We had one in front of the 673rd headquarters yesterday, 01:02.620 --> 01:04.633 kept him up in a tree for two hours, 01:06.200 --> 01:08.090 waiting on everybody to go home, 01:08.090 --> 01:10.020 and we had no where to push him. 01:10.020 --> 01:12.140 - [Narrator] So this is actually a different incident 01:12.140 --> 01:15.060 from a few weeks ago, with a bear outside of base lodging, 01:15.060 --> 01:18.297 but you can still see why it's a dangerous situation. 01:18.297 --> 01:20.964 (bells ringing) 01:22.150 --> 01:23.990 Though we know that properly storing and disposing 01:23.990 --> 01:26.010 of your trash is key to keeping these critters away 01:26.010 --> 01:28.240 from residential areas and work centers, 01:28.240 --> 01:30.300 but what about once you enter the bears' neck of the woods 01:30.300 --> 01:31.303 to do some camping? 01:32.160 --> 01:37.160 - One, understand that bears are here, don't feed, 01:37.440 --> 01:41.000 don't leave food out or your garbage out 01:41.000 --> 01:41.833 (buzzing) 01:41.833 --> 01:45.260 that would attract the bear to come visit you, 01:45.260 --> 01:48.590 because you know they could damage equipment 01:48.590 --> 01:50.910 or they'll scare you, that kind of stuff. 01:50.910 --> 01:53.630 So if you want to avoid (screeching) 01:53.630 --> 01:56.013 the bear, you want to keep a clean camp. 01:59.409 --> 02:01.060 (muffled speaking) the other side to that is 02:01.060 --> 02:02.640 if you store it inside, 02:02.640 --> 02:04.010 you want to make sure the door's locked 02:04.010 --> 02:05.420 or if you keep it in your vehicle, 02:05.420 --> 02:07.880 you want to make sure the door's locked 02:07.880 --> 02:10.460 so that the bear can't open the door. 02:10.460 --> 02:12.140 - [Narrator] If you decide to leave the campsite behind 02:12.140 --> 02:14.950 to go hiking, follow these helpful tips. 02:14.950 --> 02:16.950 Go with a group or at least one wingman. 02:18.700 --> 02:20.920 Make noise so nearby animals can hear you coming 02:20.920 --> 02:22.163 and keep their distance. 02:23.280 --> 02:24.940 Carry something to protect yourself, 02:24.940 --> 02:27.640 but make sure you know how to use it before going out. 02:27.640 --> 02:29.190 Officer Sledge also had advice 02:29.190 --> 02:30.870 for all the joggers out there. 02:30.870 --> 02:33.915 - I would stay in the busier areas. 02:33.915 --> 02:35.190 (bell ringing) 02:35.190 --> 02:38.973 I would not wear earbuds, listening to your music, 02:39.880 --> 02:41.520 so that if you are going out in the woods, 02:41.520 --> 02:43.690 obviously, you're going to sign in to iSportsman 02:43.690 --> 02:46.190 and be legally in the area recreating. 02:46.190 --> 02:47.163 Carry bear spray. 02:48.320 --> 02:50.520 Take the earbuds out, listen to nature, 02:50.520 --> 02:52.200 because nature will tell you. 02:52.200 --> 02:54.320 - [Narrator] But even if you follow all of this advice, 02:54.320 --> 02:57.060 you might still see wildlife around populated areas. 02:57.060 --> 03:01.510 - But if the bear, at a picnic or campground, 03:01.510 --> 03:05.900 or inside the industrial area or the housing area, 03:05.900 --> 03:07.330 we want to know about it, 03:07.330 --> 03:10.170 and you need to call Security Forces 03:11.500 --> 03:16.220 at 552-3421 and report it 03:16.220 --> 03:18.240 because we're not always in our office. 03:18.240 --> 03:21.450 So Security Forces is the best way to get ahold of us 03:21.450 --> 03:23.850 to get into the neighborhoods and make it safer. 03:25.670 --> 03:26.840 - [Narrator] So there you have it. 03:26.840 --> 03:28.400 The best advice from quite possibly 03:28.400 --> 03:31.070 the most qualified subject matter expert. 03:31.070 --> 03:33.410 No matter what ways you choose to enjoy Alaska, 03:33.410 --> 03:34.960 follow the guidance in this video 03:34.960 --> 03:38.070 to stay safe and help avoid this 03:38.070 --> 03:41.114 and this. - Did you get a picture? 03:41.114 --> 03:42.567 - I got a picture. Can you see him? 03:42.567 --> 03:43.400 - No. Oh. 03:45.290 --> 03:46.753 - [Mark] They were born this year. 03:48.950 --> 03:51.850 That's when it's cool, when a bear's doing natural things.