Bear Safety in Our hood
Highlights from the September GHNA Meeting
At our September 15 GHNA meeting, neighbors welcomed New Mexico Game Warden Alberto Melendez, who spoke with us about black bear safety, bear behavior, and what residents can do to reduce conflicts with wildlife.
Living so close to the foothills means wildlife is part of what makes our neighborhood special—but it also means we share responsibility for keeping both our community and our bears safe.
Key Takeaways from the Presentation
Officer Melendez shared several important reminders:
Never run from a bear. If you encounter one, remain calm, stand tall and make yourself appear larger.
Black bears commonly rest or sleep during the day. A bear lying down isn't necessarily sick or injured. Give it plenty of space and don't approach it.
If a bear is acting aggressively, threatening people, or creating an immediate safety concern, contact authorities.
Keep trash, pet food and other attractants secured. Once bears learn that homes provide easy food, they are much more likely to return.
Bear conflicts can have unfortunate consequences for the animal. Preventing bears from becoming accustomed to human food is one of the most important things residents can do.
Officer Melendez also demonstrated some of the equipment wildlife officers use when responding to bear situations, including non-lethal deterrent tools like Home Defense .50 Caliber Pepper Round Air Pistol https://a.co/d/00BjTIv3.
Scaring the animal off with rubber balls, load noise, pepper actually saves their life! They don't have the opportunity to create a threat where they might end up euthanized, darted/ relocated. Relocation usually ends in dead bear as they always try to find their way home.
Melendez explained that New Mexico's game wardens cover very large geographic areas, so residents can also contact local law enforcement when an immediate response is needed.
Thank You, Officer Melendez & OFFICER TUCKER!
A big Glenwood Hills Neighborhood Association thank-you to Game Warden Alberto Melendez and Officer Tucker for taking the time to meet with our neighbors, answer questions, and help us better understand the wildlife that shares our foothills community.
We appreciate everyone who attended and participated. An informed neighborhood is a safer neighborhood—for both people and wildlife.
New Mexico Department of Game & Fish
– Albuquerque Office:(505) 222-4700
Officer Alberto Melendez
– Northwest Area Field Operations:
Work: (505) 490-0666
Dispatch: (505) 841-9256
For an immediate emergency or threat to public safety, call 911.
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