Latest news with #blackbear
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Resident captures video of dangerous interaction between family dog and wild bear: 'We didn't know what to do'
Resident captures video of dangerous interaction between family dog and wild bear: 'We didn't know what to do' The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department confirmed two black bear sightings near a popular recreational area in mid-June, sparking concerns among residents. What happened? As Keloland News reported, the bears were spotted roaming along the shores of Pelican Lake, located near Watertown, about an hour-and-a-half north of Sioux Falls. A video shared by local David Dalke showed one of the bears getting dangerously close to his dog, but he said the bear merely seemed curious rather than threatening. Nonetheless, it was an unsettling situation, considering bears weigh hundreds of pounds and can easily hurt or kill smaller animals. Luckily, though, both animals walked away unharmed. The bear was spotted again further down the lake at the end of a dock where locals were fishing. Thankfully, a boater passed by and called attention to the bear before it had a chance to do any harm. "He saw us for sure," local Alexis Rowland told Keloland News. "We didn't know what to do." Once again, the bear walked away shortly after. But the group was shaken up and shocked to see a bear at the lake, as black bear sightings are quite rare in the area. "In my 40 years, I've never heard of a bear around here," Watertown resident Keith Pietz said, per Keloland News. Why are black bears in South Dakota concerning? While black bears are not considered highly dangerous to humans, they are still wild animals and can act unpredictably, especially when protecting food or cubs. And if people feed them, whether intentionally or unintentionally, they can become accustomed to seeking out food near human habitats and put both people and pets in danger. When bears and other wildlife become conditioned to human food, it may force officials to euthanize them, which is sadly happening more often as human-wildlife conflicts increase. Population growth, habitat destruction, and resource shortages caused by the changing climate have made it more difficult for animals to survive, leading them to seek out urban environments for resources. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. All across the globe, residents have reported an uptick in bear sightings in residential areas, including in people's driveways, gas station parking lots, and campgrounds. As humans continue to encroach on bears' territory, it puts more pressure on the animals and limits their food availability. In this case, it doesn't appear that the bear was searching for food, but the fact that it didn't seem too fazed by humans is concerning. Luckily, black bears in South Dakota are still quite unusual, according to South Dakota GFP regional wildlife manager Nick Rossman. "Black bears in our area are not common in northeast South Dakota, but occasionally we have seen similar juvenile-aged bears wander through the area," he explained to the Watertown radio station KXLG. How can you protect yourself and bears? The GFP recommends keeping pets and children under supervision when bears are sighted nearby and cleaning up any food that has been left out. In the broader context, however, taking steps to conserve bears' habitats would benefit both wildlife and humans, as conflicts would likely be significantly reduced. Helping bears thrive in their natural habitats is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems, as they regulate populations of other animals and contribute to overall biodiversity. Participating in community-based conservation programs can help ensure bears have a safe and healthy environment, thereby reducing the likelihood of them venturing into human territory. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bear killed in Yellowstone after 'concerning incidents' at campsite
A food-conditioned black bear was killed at Yellowstone National Park after a series of concerning incidents "posed a clear threat to visitor safety," officials said. The bear was lethally removed on July 11 at approximately 5 p.m. by Yellowstone National Park staff following "a series of concerning incidents at a backcountry campsite located in the Blacktail Deer Creek drainage in the northern part of the park," according to a statement from the National Park Service on Thursday. MORE: New York shuts down hiking trail in Adirondack Mountains due to moose engaging in 'unusual behaviors' The animal became the first black bear in five years to be killed in a management action situation in Yellowstone, with the last case coming in July 2020 when a black bear injured campers and accessed human food at a backcountry campsite in the park, officials said. "On June 7, the bear crushed an unoccupied tent at the campsite. A few weeks later, on July 11, the bear climbed the site's food storage pole, tore down properly stored food bags, and consumed the campers' food," the National Park Service said. MORE: Unidentified body discovered floating in the Atlantic off New Hampshire coast MORE: Plane crash kills 1 and injures 2 in remote area of Olympic National Park "Although it is uncommon for bears in Yellowstone to obtain human food, when it does occur, bears can quickly become food-conditioned and may act aggressively or dangerously around humans, putting both people and wildlife at risk. The bear's escalating behavior -- including property damage and obtaining a significant food reward -- posed a clear threat to visitor safety and warranted removal," officials continued. The decision to kill the bear was based on ongoing concern for human safety, property damage to camping equipment and the bear learning to defeat the park's backcountry food storage poles to obtain human food, according to NPS. MORE: 2 water buffaloes kill farmer after he becomes trapped in their enclosure "We go to great lengths to protect bears and prevent them from gaining access to human food in all areas of the park," said Kerry Gunther, Yellowstone bear management biologist. "But occasionally, a bear outsmarts us or overcomes our defenses. When that happens, we sometimes have to make the difficult decision to remove the bear from the population to protect people and property." Due to bear management practices and regulations at the park, each of Yellowstone's 293 backcountry campsites is equipped with either a food storage pole or a bear-resistant storage box, officials said. MORE: At least 7 geese dead after car strikes flock crossing New Jersey street "Park guidelines require backcountry campers to hang food from the pole or secure it in the box at all times except when cooking or eating," NPS said. "Yellowstone reminds all visitors that utilizing these bear safety measures remain crucial in ensuring public safety and preventing wildlife from developing dangerous habits." Solve the daily Crossword
CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
Black bear sightings are up slightly. Here's what you should know if you see one
More than 300 black bear sightings are reported across Newfoundland and Labrador every year. Chris Baldwin, manager of conservation services with the provincial wildlife department, says most sightings don't lead to conflict, but there are precautions you can take to protect yourself.
CTV News
6 days ago
- CTV News
Campground closures lifted in Yoho National Park area
A number of campsites in the Yoho National Park area were reopened Wednesday after being closed due to two incidents involving a black bear. Parks Canada has ended a number of campground closures in the Yoho National Park area. The closures at Takakkaw Falls Campground, Yoho Lake Campground and surrounding trails were lifted effective Wednesday. The parks service said no further bear sightings or incidents have been reported after the closures, which were put in place as a precaution to ensure visitor and staff safety following two incidents on July 7 involving black bears damaging tents. Following those incidents, Parks Canada escorted campers out of the area, set up trail cameras, deployed bear traps, conducted regular patrols and maintained an on-site presence. After a number of days without any more bear sightings, the closures were lifted. Parks officers say they believe the bears have moved into more remote backcountry where there are fewer people and a lot of natural food available, as berry crops have ripened. A bear warning is in effect for the Yoho Valley while Parks Canada wildlife staff continue to monitor for bear activity. Parks Canada wildlife officials say the bears involved weren't considered aggressive but did demonstrate 'bold food-seeking behaviour,' which they say comes from receiving food rewards such as unsecured food, garbage or organic waste. In general, they said, bears prefer to stay away from people when they don't have access to human food.
CBS News
7 days ago
- General
- CBS News
6 orphaned black bear cubs find safety at Auburn wildlife rescue
It's been an unusually busy summer for Gold Country Wildlife Rescue in Auburn, which is now caring for six orphaned black bear cubs rescued from across Northern California, all in just one week. The cubs, each only about five to six months old and weighing around 20–25 pounds, were found in places stretching from Rubicon and Tahoe to Lassen, Trinity, Shasta, and Rollins. "We're one of only three rehab facilities in California permitted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to rehabilitate black bear cubs," explained Sallysue Stein, founder and executive director of Gold Country Wildlife Rescue. The rescue is partnering closely with the Bear League, a group that has been helping wild bears for nearly three decades and now shares the cubs' journeys online, drawing thousands of followers. "They're all different, they're all unique. You get really attached because we sit and watch them live," said Ann Bryant, executive director of the Bear League. The mission now is to help the young bears grow strong enough for release back into the wild next spring, by which time they hope each will weigh around 150–175 pounds. "Right now they're little, tiny cubs," Stein added, "but by the time we release them next spring, they'll be big enough to survive." Still, rescuers know the reality: not all cubs survive. "We know we're going to lose some, it's part of life," Bryant said. "But we hope the rest of them make it. So far, so good." Caring for six wild cubs comes at a cost, and Gold Country Wildlife Rescue is asking for donations to help cover food, medical care, and long-term rehabilitation.
