Salmon carcasses draw bears; area closed for safety

"She's been regularly coming in and out obtaining fish carcasses," refuge manager Andy Loranger said Sunday.

The action is precautionary. No incidents between the bears and visitors have been reported.

A build-up of red salmon carcasses along the banks of the Kenai and Russian rivers has attracted bears to the area. Over the years, bear encounters -- and the occasional mauling -- have occurred during salmon season, even though state and federal officials have mounted campaigns to convince anglers to dispose of fish waste only in the fastest-moving sections of the Kenai.

Anglers can still fish in portions of the river abutting the area, which is on the left side of the highway as drivers travel south.

"There has been no reported aggressive behavior," Loranger said. "What appears to be happening is that the sow will come out, obtain fish waste and move back into the area.

"We want to prevent any negative encounters by closing it to foot traffic."

People who enter the closed area are subject to apprehension and citations.

Kenai and Russian River fishermen are encouraged to either take fish out whole, or to follow "Stop, Chop and Throw" practices -- tossing fish carcasses into deep, fast flowing waters to reduce the number of fish remains which wash up on the riverbanks and decrease those bear attractants.

Reach reporter Mike Campbell at mcampbell@adn.com or 257-4329.