WELLS — The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is warning homeowners to take down bird-feeders and secure trash containers after a spate of bear sightings in Maine, several of which occurred in Wells in early May.

According to Jacqueline LaLiberte, the animal control officer for Wells, the bear sightings have been concentrated to the extreme northwestern corner of Wells, on Wire Road down toward Natanis Ridge Road, leading her to believe that the sightings were of the same bear.

“When mid-April hits, we always get complaints,” LaLiberte said. “Around February (bears) come out ”¦ I’ve only been here two years but every year it happens.”

Wells Animal Control has been in contact with the game wardens, who will monitor the situation. LaLiberte said the sightings are likely a seasonal trend.

Bears emerge from hibernation looking to regain body mass, and a warm spring means they can forage farther and farther from their winter habitat looking for food. IFW says that potential sources of food in at home might be a trash barrel left overnight, or a barbecue with tasty food or fat drippings left on the grill.

“Bears that live near people often rely on foods inadvertently provided by people, such as highly nutritional sunflower seeds being fed to birds. Birdseed and other attractants should be removed to prevent attracting or creating nuisance bears,” IFW wrote in a statement.

LaLiberte agreed, saying that the best thing people can do beyond the obvious of securing trash is to take down bird feeders in areas that bears are known to frequent.

For those who see a bear, IFW recommends making loud noises while simultaneously backing away, which tells the bear to leave while giving it space so it doesn’t feel threatened and try to charge.

“Don’t try to engage the bear in any way,” LaLiberte said.