WEST GREENWICH, R.I. (WPRI) — Environmental officials are renewing a warning about black bears after one was caught on camera in West Greenwich.

The R.I. Department of Environmental Management (DEM) posted a video on its Facebook page showing the bear knocking over a bird feeder and having a snack in a resident’s yard.

The DEM says it’s been receiving an increasing number of reports of black bear sightings in Rhode Island. The population in our area was greatly reduced by deforestation and unregulated hunting but has been recovering since stricter environmental management practices were enacted in the 1990’s.

A bear that depends on humans for food or shelter can become a nuisance or even a danger, according to the DEM, and feeding them can put their lives at risk, along with the lives of people, pets and livestock.

The agency offered the following tips:

Don’t feed pets outdoors, and remove outdoor food dishes immediately

Only hang bird feeders from November to March

Do not add meat scraps or grease to compost piles

Always secure household garbage

DEM says bears have excellent memories and they will likely remember locations that provide access to food.

The agency also noted that black bears are protected in Rhode Island and cannot be hunted or captured.