CURRENTS Bearing Witness

Understanding the growing presence of black bears in Marin County.

BY KASIA PAWLOWSKA

Most of us have likely seen the videos — grainy, out of focus Nest Cam footage of a bear ambling across a residential driveway in San Rafael’s Terra Linda neighborhood. Where are these bears coming from?

“These are likely young dispersing males from the Occidental or Bodega Bay regions, looking for a range to call home,” says Peter Barto, a Marinbased naturalist and member of the North Bay Bear Collaborative (NBBC). “Although Marin and California were historically grizzly bear habitat, the bears we have here are American black bears, and our group is trying to see if a resident population is establishing itself in the county.” In July 2022, Barto, who is also a part of the River Otter Ecology Project, captured on a trailcam he had set up for the group footage of two young bears playing in a creek within the Mt. Tam watershed. So how many bears are there in the county? The NBBC guesses there are at least four, basing it on the various sightings and bear descriptions from different parts of Marin over the last couple years. Here are some things to consider as these new inhabitants become more common.

• The best way to scare them off? Make a lot of noise, and don’t come between a mother and her cubs.

• Mind your trash. Keep your bins securely stowed away before garbage pickup to not tempt bears — and other animals.

• American black bears can be brown! Many shades of brown, in fact.

• Black bears are not obligate carnivores like mountain lions and do not necessarily prey on other animals, although they will sometimes catch and feed on small mammals as well as scavenge on dead animals. Their diet mostly consists of berries, insects, roots and other plants.

You can learn more about black bears and how to reduce conflict when sharing the area with them at the North Bay Bear Collaborative’s website, beingwithbears.org

Skateboard Hero

Jonny Moseley, Klay Thompson, Barry Bonds — many famous athletes have considered Marin their home over the years. While Corte Madera-native Pat Duffy may not have the same name recognition in most circles, he certainly has the accolades. The Redwood High grad and pro skateboarder is one of the pioneers of handrail riding — a staple of the sport — and something he mastered in spots throughout the county, including the Corte Madera DMV and Northgate Mall. Duffy was inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame late last year for this and his other contributions — congrats, Pat! K.P.