Facebook page lists Sitka, Alaska, bear sightings

[July 30, 2011]  SITKA, Alaska (AP) -- Residents of Sitka, Alaska, are using social media to share reports about bear activity in the area.

KCAW radio reports the Facebook site "Sitka Bear Report" already has more than 200 followers.

The page details bear sightings in the southeast Alaska city, where more bears have been sighted because of a poor berry crop and dry weather.

Police report more than 100 calls about problem bears, including one dead dog and some chickens. But police caution that doesn't seem to be an unusually high number.

State Fish and Game area management biologist Phil Mooney says it might just seem like they are more bears around now because of the late spring and a lack of bear activity earlier this summer.

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Online:

http://on.fb.me/qEpfpE

[Associated Press]

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