SEATTLE -- Black bears are waking up from hibernation, and they're waking up hungry.

As our wild neighbors start moving around, the state has declared this "Bear Awareness Week."

Last year, the state took 290 calls from people from Thurston County up to the Canadian border, reporting bear sightings.

And some of the sightings are coming from strange places.

Last year, a bear earned the nickname Columbus after swimming from Vashon Island to Des Moines.

The worlds of humans and bears collide as people develop bear country. But bears would stay deeper in the wild if it weren't for one thing drawing them to neighborhoods.

"If they can't eat, they won't be there," says Wildlife Officer Bruce Richards. "There's no reason for a bear to go somewhere where's there's not any food. So we stop making bear come in to us. Then we'll have bear living with us, but not in amongst us."

If you live anywhere close to bear country, it's time to take down your bird feeders.

Clean your barbeque grills.

Secure your garbage and only put it outside on trash day.

And protect your animals with strong, high fences.

Meanwhile, the state is also looking for new ways to handle bears.

Officer Richards' new partner is Mishka - a Karelian bear dog.

The breed has worked with biologists before, but it is the first time in the country a Karelian is working enforcement.

Last week Mishka tracked an injured bear - a dangerous situation for Richards.

"He bayed the bear on the ground and I was able to get up and work on the bear without it attacking me. So the dog proved right there that it's .. Who knows what could have happened there," says Richards. "That dog will probably put down his life for mine."

For More Information -

wdfw.wa.gov

second link from wdfw.wa.gov

And for information on events for Bear Awareness Week:

bearinfo.blogspot.com/