Bears In The News

[AZLOT69]

Eight Foraging Bears Killed In Tahoe


Posted: 9:44 am PDT June 11, 2010
Updated: 10:02 am PDT June 11, 2010

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. -- The heavy snow and lingering winter conditions in the Sierra are forcing black bears into the valleys around Lake Tahoe, where an unusually large number of them have had to be put to death in recent weeks.

Nevada Department of Wildlife biologist Carl Lackey says officials already killed eight bears this spring, compared with a typical death toll of just one or two by this time.

"I attribute that to the late winter weather conditions," he said.

Unlocked food or trash lures the bears into trouble in cars and homes. Adding to the problem, Lackey said, is Washoe County has no ordinance requiring bear-proof trash receptacles.

Hot spots are centered near South Lake Tahoe, Tahoma and Highway 89 near the Squaw Valley and Alpine ski resorts.

Cristen Langner, a wildlife biologist for California Fish and Game, said the California side of the Tahoe basin has had three permitted bear deaths this year, which is not uncommon for this time. Each of the deaths was also a result of residents not locking up food trash or food, she said.

Langner echoed Lackey's words of caution and said residents should always be bear-aware and keep doors locked and food secure.

"The big thing is that every time these bears are successful (finding stored trash or food) it just reinforces that behavior," she said.

Ann Bryant, president of the Homewood-based BEAR League, said she's concerned about the death toll.

"I'm pretty shocked because it's only going to get worse as the season goes on," she said.

Bryant said based on calls, sightings and onsite observations, the BEAR League has observed more newborns this year than any other, as well as an increased number of sightings and conflicts.

Usually bears aren't spotted out of hibernation until May or June, Bryant said, but she's seen them as early as March and April this year.

[hikeaz]

'Bare'-Skin 'Rug'?
-

'

[RedRoxx44]

Young Brown Bear on a busy ski slope in Romania. What can go wrong???
[ youtube video ]

[tibber]

Spotted on 'hood walk, Village at Grovers in North Phoenix.
Apparently ate too many Christmas cookies.

[big_load]

@tibber

It's pretty unusual for grizzlies to climb trees. It must be cinnamon black bear.

[Alston_Neal]

It must be cinnamon black bear.

ursus pseudo steiffis

[RedRoxx44]

I'm on a roll-- first one pretty well known
[ youtube video ]

[ youtube video ]

[big_load]

@RedRoxx44
The first video says everything people should know about messing with moose. It's always a bad idea.

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

I'm always glad to see a bear run away. But I don't understand what the moose would do to the bear? (No horns.) To borrow a line from Monty Python, "nibble his leg off?"

[nonot]

One of a moose's powerful kicks would likely cause an injury that would lead to the bear's death if well struck.

[big_load]

I'm always glad to see a bear run away. But I don't understand what the moose would do to the bear? (No horns.) To borrow a line from Monty Python, "nibble his leg off?"

A moose can kill just about anything with one or two good kicks, and they won't hesitate to do so if they feel threatened. They have no sense of humor or patience. They don't take chances.

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

So bears know that moose can kick them to death? From the front?

[xsproutx]

Sure, just like humans naturally are wary around snakes. Evolution.

[big_load]

So bears know that moose can kick them to death? From the front?

Yep. Front or back. Usually a moose that means business will square off with you face-to-face and puff out its chest. They do more than just kick. They'll ram and trample, too. They're even grumpier when they're with calves.

[chumley]

grumpier when they're with calves

Oh crap. That means there's a few of us that are obviously at higher risk.

[The_Eagle]

@chumley
Especially with the size of your..... Calves.

[hikeaz]

Elk too. Although some might say that Darwin had a hand.... https://www.azgfd.com/2023/11/07/fatal- ... %20Kingman.

[xsproutx]

Hunh. I stayed at the wild cow blm campground near there around this time last year mostly as just a little extra thing on the way to vegas for a work thing. When I woke up and did a little hike, I ran into a herd of elk that were entirely too close/friendly for me. Seemed like they were definitely habituated to humans and made me a bit uncomfortable. First time I've had that sort of experience with elk before

[chumley]

While women choose bears, apparently bears choose men.

A bear is believed to have dragged the body of a western Massachusetts crash victim out of his car on Sunday

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/boston/news ... ged-victim

[The_Eagle]

@chumley
Get your tickets now. https://ptowntourism.com/events/bear-week/

[big_load]

While women choose bears, apparently bears choose men.

A bear is believed to have dragged the body of a western Massachusetts crash victim out of his car on Sunday

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/boston/news ... ged-victim

Interrupted while retrieving its snack from the vending machine.