FLORENCE— Six problem bears have been killed in the Florence and Yachats area in one of the worst years for bear damage on the Oregon coast.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says four bears were public safety risks, partly because people fed them. That causes bears to lose their fear of humans.

A poor berry crop also is a factor.

One hungry bear broke through a kitchen window, and two were killed when they tried to break into a pen where a goat was killed last week.

All the bears were repeatedly seen in the daytime and did not show wariness of people.

Wildlife biologists say attacks are rare, but they urge coastal visitors and residents to avoid feeding bears because those bears are the most likely to attack.